Lewis Hamilton Ditches Ferrari Simulator Before Canadian GP Over Correlation Concerns

Lewis Hamilton has declared he will not use the Ferrari simulator before the Canadian Grand Prix, calling out a lack of correlation between Ferrari's virtual model and real-world performance. The seven-time world champion, frustrated after a difficult Miami weekend, is adopting a “different approach” and pressing the team to cut drag from the SF-26, which he estimates costs “three to four tenths” on straights alone.

Why it matters:

Simulator correlation is a critical issue for Ferrari as Hamilton continues to adapt to the team. If the Scuderia cannot bridge the gap between virtual preparation and track reality, it risks wasting precious practice time – especially on sprint weekends – and losing ground to rivals in both qualifying and race pace.

The details:

• Miami struggles: Hamilton finished the Sprint over 15 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc, then collided with Franco Colapinto on lap one of the Grand Prix, limiting him to seventh (promoted to sixth after Leclerc's penalty).
• Straight-line deficit: Hamilton claims Ferrari is “losing three to four tenths just on straight line speed” – a problem he says will persist until the team fixes drag.
• Simulator mismatch: “We go on it, you prepare for the track, you drive it, and you get the car set up… you come to the track, and that setup doesn’t work,” Hamilton explained.
• No sim before Canada: Hamilton will skip simulator sessions between now and Montreal, noting his best weekend – China – came without using the sim.
• Car balance issues: In Miami, the SF-26 was “very snappy on the way into corners, then massive understeer mid-corner,” a balance Hamilton struggled to dial in during limited practice.

What’s next:

Hamilton heads to Canada as a record seven-time winner, but warns Ferrari must “cut some drag before the next race” to be competitive. He will attend factory meetings but rely on alternative preparation methods, hoping to replicate the strong form he found in Shanghai.

• The Canadian Grand Prix takes place in just under three weeks.
• Hamilton’s “different approach” will be tested on a track that rewards straight-line speed – a clear weakness Ferrari must address.