Lewis Hamilton finds Ferrari breakthrough after skipping simulator for Canada

Lewis Hamilton believes he has found a new "way forward" in race preparation at Ferrari, after opting out of the team's simulator ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and instead diving deep into data with engineers.

Why it matters:

The seven-time champion has struggled to consistently extract performance from the SF-25 this season. A change in routine that yields immediate results — he outqualified teammate Charles Leclerc for the Sprint — could reshape his approach for the remainder of 2026.

The details:

• Hamilton described Saturday's Sprint qualifying as "probably the best qualifying session we had for some time."
• He credited setup changes that made the car feel "really fantastic" from free practice, with only subtle tweaks going into qualifying.
• The key shift: skipping the simulator to focus on data analysis between Miami and Canada.
• "I found that so much more beneficial," Hamilton said. "I was able to just focus on training and not be distracted, and then go through with a fine comb with ride stability, through-corner balances and mechanical balance."
• He chose a setup that the team had never used before, which "transformed the car" for him.

Between the lines:

Hamilton's admission highlights a potential disconnect between simulator work and real-world feel — a recurring theme for drivers adapting to new machinery. His willingness to abandon standard preparation suggests Ferrari is still learning how to best tailor the car to his preferences.

What's next:

The Sprint race and Canadian GP qualifying are still to come. If Hamilton's newfound setup holds over a full race distance, it could signal a turning point in his season — and a template for how the Scuderia extracts more from its 2026 package.