Hamilton Hails Verstappen After 'Awesome' Canadian GP Duel

Lewis Hamilton hailed Max Verstappen as "one of the greats" after an intense, race-long battle for the runner-up spot at the Canadian Grand Prix. With Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli taking the victory, the spotlight shifted to the former title rivals, who delivered a spectacular wheel-to-wheel fight that went down to the wire.

Why it matters:

This duel showcased a return to pure, on-track racing between two of the sport's defining figures. For Hamilton, securing P2 marks his best result with Ferrari to date, signaling a genuine step forward in the Scuderia's competitiveness and validating his move to Maranello.

The details:

• Verstappen initially took P3 from Hamilton on Lap 9, exploiting a straight-line speed advantage while Hamilton struggled with a power deficit.
• After George Russell's retirement elevated their fight to a battle for P2, Hamilton methodically hunted down Verstappen on medium tires.
• The Decisive Move: On Lap 62, Hamilton executed a late-braking maneuver around the outside of Turn 1 to claim the position.
• Hamilton had to manage his hybrid battery meticulously, calculating energy deployment lap by lap to compensate for the straight-line speed deficit.
• Verstappen enjoyed the scrap, noting it was his first "normal race" of the season with no chaotic incidents.

The big picture:

Hamilton leaves Montreal P4 in the Drivers' standings, just three points behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Verstappen sits P7 with 43 points after five rounds, reflecting a challenging start to the 2026 campaign for Red Bull. As the season progresses, Ferrari's improved pace and the resurgence of this iconic rivalry will be pivotal factors in the championship fight.