Transformed Ferrari leaves Hamilton 'the best I've felt all year'

For the first time in weeks, Lewis Hamilton climbed out of his Ferrari after Friday's running in Montreal looking genuinely energised. The seven-time world champion says the SF-26 has undergone a complete transformation in feel — not from new parts, but from finally finding the right setup direction.

After an encouraging Sprint qualifying performance at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hamilton revealed that skipping simulator work may have helped trigger the breakthrough.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's struggles adapting to Ferrari have been one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season. If this setup direction proves sustainable, it could fundamentally alter the Scuderia's competitive trajectory and give Hamilton a platform to challenge for wins again.

The details:

• Ferrari arrived in Montreal without any new hardware, focusing entirely on refining the package introduced in Miami.
• Hamilton topped SQ1, placed second in SQ2, and ultimately qualified fifth — but the confidence flowing through driver and car was the bigger story.
• Setup breakthrough: Hamilton and his engineers uncovered a configuration Ferrari had never previously attempted, transforming the car's ride stability and corner balance.
• Simulator skip: The Briton chose to step away from virtual cockpit duties, instead dedicating more time to data analysis and physical training.

"Probably the best qualifying session we've had for some time," Hamilton said. "Setup changes, the car felt really fantastic from P1. I chose a setup that we've never used before — so it's transformed the car for me."

What's next:

The real test will come in Saturday's Sprint race and Sunday's Grand Prix, where race pace and tire management will reveal whether this breakthrough is genuine or track-specific. For a Ferrari team searching for consistency, Hamilton's renewed confidence is already a significant step forward.

"I was having so much fun out there," Hamilton added. "I think that's the way forward for me."