Hamilton Finds 'Sweet Spot' at Ferrari with Canadian GP Runner-Up

Lewis Hamilton secured second at the Canadian Grand Prix with a late overtake on Max Verstappen, capping his strongest weekend since joining Ferrari 18 months ago. The result—his second podium in red this season—came at a crucial moment after disappointing runs in Japan and Miami.

Why it matters:

• Hamilton shut down retirement speculation by reaffirming his Ferrari deal runs through 2027 with an option for 2028, insisting he plans to stay for "quite some time."
• Outqualifying and outracing Charles Leclerc without new upgrades showed Hamilton can lead the Scuderia's charge, easing pressure after Leclerc dominated the previous two rounds.
• With six races crammed into eight weeks before the summer break, establishing momentum now is essential.

The details:

• Hamilton skipped the simulator before Canada, noting his two best weekends this season—China and Canada—came without it, leading him to favor an "old school" data-focused approach.
• Ferrari brought no upgrades to Montreal while rivals did, yet Hamilton found an early groove and qualified fifth, ahead of Leclerc, despite a power unit issue that likely cost him a second-row start.
• After dropping seven seconds behind Verstappen following the pit stops, Hamilton pushed the car to its braking limits and used tactical energy deployment to snatch second with six laps remaining.

What's next:

Hamilton now faces an immediate reality check at Monaco, where Ferrari's low-speed corner strength could make them the team to beat. Yet Leclerc will be eager to rebound on home soil, setting up a fierce intra-team battle at a circuit that hides the Scuderia's power deficit. Hamilton aims to replicate his Montreal form to prove the "sweet spot" marks a sustained return rather than a one-off.