Why Hamilton is going against standard approach ahead of Canadian GP

After a forgettable first season with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion has started 2026 in a completely different fashion, looking far more competitive in the opening races and capping off his resurgence with an impressive third-place finish in China, while also keeping team-mate Charles Leclerc behind despite the Monegasque having held the upper hand throughout the entirety of 2025.

Following his breakthrough result in Shanghai, however, the Briton once again began struggling compared to the Monegasque, who delivered strong performances in both Suzuka and Miami before a last-lap spin ruined his final result and allowed Hamilton to finish ahead of him.

Speaking to GPblog after the race, Hamilton explained that he would avoid using the simulator in the build-up to the next round, although he would still attend meetings at the factory. The Briton admitted he wanted to take a step back from simulator work for a while after feeling that his strongest weekend of the season in China came without relying on it.

Hamilton’s comments about preparing for Canada without using the simulator carry even more weight following Nelson Piquet Jr.’s recent remarks, with the Brazilian claiming Leclerc is clearly Ferrari’s number one driver, while Hamilton is merely playing a supporting role as the team’s second driver.

"Leclerc is the No.1 driver, while Hamilton is No.2. Right now, Hamilton finishes behind him in about 80 per cent of the races," he bluntly told during a Pelas Pistas podcast episode.

Piquet Jr. also suggested that Hamilton is now entering the final phase of his Formula 1 career after spending two decades competing at the top level of the sport: "Hamilton has spent twenty years in Formula 1, and this is naturally the winding down of his career."

Although the Briton has shown signs of improvement compared to last year, the verdict so far is crystal clear: across 28 races as team-mates, Leclerc has claimed nine podiums, one pole position and no wins, while Hamilton can only boast a single podium finish - the one secured in China - along with a fourth place at Silverstone as his next-best result.

During his first season, Hamilton could understandably be given the benefit of the doubt as he was adapting to a completely different culture and working philosophy compared to what he had experienced at Mercedes, with the adjustment process paradoxically taking longer than it did for a rookie like Kimi Antonelli, who had no previous benchmark to compare against as a complete newcomer to Formula 1.

The Canadian Grand Prix, a track where Hamilton has claimed victory seven times, represents a golden opportunity to prove he still has what it takes and continue the momentum shown at the start of the season. Otherwise, being beaten convincingly by Leclerc once again would bring back the ghosts of the recent past, likely along with a fresh wave of criticism.