Lewis Hamilton Scores First Ferrari Podium with Second Place in Montreal
Lewis Hamilton delivered his best result for Scuderia Ferrari, finishing second. On the final laps, the Briton managed to overtake Max Verstappen, who, in turn, made his first podium appearance of the season, rounding out the top three.
First step toward the 'red' trophy: Lewis Hamilton claims debut podium for Ferrari at the Canadian Grand Prix
Main Event
The Sunday race of the Canadian Grand Prix, held on May 24, 2026, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, gave Ferrari fans a long-awaited reason for optimism. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, finished the race in second place, posting his best result for Scuderia Ferrari since his high-profile move from Mercedes in the off-season. Although victory once again went to the elusive Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes, the Briton's second place was a powerful statement that the 'reds' are gradually finding their way back into the title fight.
The race started tough for Hamilton. Right at the start, he had to fend off attacks from the Red Bull drivers and his own teammate Charles Leclerc. However, the main drama unfolded on lap 29 when George Russell's Mercedes engine failed, forcing the Briton to stop on track. This instantly changed the dynamics: the safety car shuffled the pack, and Hamilton, finding clean air after the restart, began chasing leader Antonelli.
The most tense moment for Hamilton came in a direct duel with Max Verstappen in the final third of the race. The Dutch Red Bull driver, who had dropped behind Lewis during pit stops, attacked aggressively in the closing laps, but Hamilton showed all his champion instincts. The Briton not only held his position but managed to create a small gap, finishing +10.768 seconds behind the winner.
This race marked an important psychological milestone for the 41-year-old driver. After a poor start to the season, where Hamilton struggled to adapt to the SF-26's behavior, the Canadian round showed that the adaptation is complete. Lewis looked more confident not only than Verstappen but also than his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished only fourth, more than 33 seconds behind Hamilton.
Details and Statistics
The Canadian Grand Prix was statistically Hamilton's best weekend behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Not only did he finish second, but he consistently outperformed his teammate in all sessions, something that had not happened often this season. In the results table, Hamilton's gap to Antonelli was 10.768 seconds, while his lead over third-placed Verstappen was just 0.508 seconds.
Below are the full top-10 race results, clearly showing the pecking order:
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:28:15.758 | 25 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +10.768 | 18 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +11.276 | 15 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +44.151 | 12 |
| 5 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +1 lap | 10 |
| 6 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1 lap | 8 |
| 7 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +1 lap | 6 |
| 8 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1 lap | 4 |
| 9 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +1 lap | 2 |
| 10 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +1 lap | 1 |
Source: Speedcafe.com, report from the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix
An interesting detail that contributed to the success was Hamilton's decision to forgo using the Ferrari simulator in preparation for the Canadian round. After a disastrous experience early in the season, when virtual preparation only hindered due to differences between the real car and the model, Lewis decided to return to 'old school' methods. By his own admission, he 'does not rely on the simulator,' preferring real-world feel on the track.
It is also worth noting the financial aspect of the performance. According to Spotrac, Hamilton's base salary at Ferrari in 2026 is $60 million USD. Including performance bonuses and sponsorship deals, his total annual income could approach $100 million. Second place in Canada not only justifies such investment but also triggers the bonus mechanisms written into his contract.
Context and Significance
Second place in Montreal is not just another 18 points in the bag. It is a symbolic breakthrough for the 'Hamilton in Ferrari' project, which had long been questioned due to poor early races. Although the Maranello team has not won a race since the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, when Carlos Sainz took victory, Ferrari is now showing clear progress.
This podium is especially significant in the context of the battle with Max Verstappen and Red Bull. For the Dutch driver, third place in Canada was his first podium of the 2026 season, highlighting the crisis at the 'bulls.' Hamilton, by contrast, by beating Verstappen in 'fair fight' on track, dealt a psychological blow to his long-time rival. It was the first time this season that reigning world champion Max Verstappen lost a direct duel to Hamilton.
The historical context is also important. Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari at age 41, is proving that his motivation and speed are still intact. He admitted feeling 'lucky' to still be in an F1 cockpit at his age. Moreover, this achievement breaks the stereotype that age is a hindrance in modern motorsport. Lewis is demonstrating not only consistency but also the ability to adapt to a new car, something not all veterans manage.
The podium in Canada also reshaped the hierarchy within Ferrari. Hamilton comprehensively outperformed Charles Leclerc, who for many years was considered the team's 'number one.' Finishing fourth, almost 34 seconds behind Hamilton, Lecler was beaten not only by his teammate but also by Verstappen. This puts the Monegasque in a difficult position: if Hamilton continues in the same vein, an internal battle for leadership status could brew, always adding spice to driver relations.
What's Next / Next Race Preview
The next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, scheduled for the first week of June. This track is a classic benchmark for all teams, as it features a mix of corner types: from slow chicanes to fast sweeping bends. For Hamilton and Ferrari, this will be another test of progress.
Analysts believe that the characteristics of the Barcelona circuit may suit the SF-26 better than the Canadian track, known for its long straights. While in Montreal Ferrari suffered from a lack of top speed (straight-line speed was insufficient to challenge Antonelli), in Catalonia downforce and behavior in medium-speed corners are more important. This could reduce the gap to Mercedes.
For Lewis Hamilton, the Spanish Grand Prix is a chance to take the next step and fight for his first win in red. According to the Briton himself, this victory is 'closer than ever.' Psychologically, Hamilton is at a peak after two consecutive podiums (Canada and the previous round, where he also finished second). His confidence in the team is growing, and he publicly thanked Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur for support and implementing necessary changes to the car's setup.
A key factor will be the battle with Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian has won four races in a row, but his teammate George Russell has faced reliability issues. Ferrari must capitalize on this moment of instability at Mercedes. If the SF-26 is consistently fast in Barcelona, Hamilton could not only solidify second place in the drivers' standings but also reduce the gap to leader Antonelli, which currently stands at an estimated 43 to 66 points.
Editorial Forecast
Looking at Lewis Hamilton's progress behind the wheel of a Ferrari, it is safe to say: his first win for Scuderia Ferrari is a matter of time, not chance. The Canadian round showed that the Briton has fully adapted to the SF-26's behavior and found a way to work with the team's engineers, abandoning what turned out to be useless virtual training. Now Hamilton looks not just like a veteran seeing out his contract, but a genuine contender for race wins.
The key factor for success is becoming consistency. While Antonelli's Mercedes is flawless, his former teammate George Russell has started suffering from technical failures. Ferrari, on the other hand, is showing high reliability, allowing Hamilton to finish and score points even when pure speed is not enough for victory. In the long championship battle, this factor could prove decisive, unless Mercedes solves its engine problems.
We predict that as early as the Spanish Grand Prix or the following Monaco Grand Prix, we will see a one-on-one battle between Hamilton and Antonelli for victory. The Barcelona circuit is less demanding on engine power than Montreal, reducing Mercedes' main advantage (straight-line speed) and giving Ferrari a chance through aerodynamic efficiency. If Lewis can win qualifying, his chances of success will be very high.
Nevertheless, we must be realistic: the current championship will most likely remain with Kimi Antonelli, who is showing phenomenal pace comparable to Hamilton's best years at Mercedes. A 43-point deficit after five rounds is a huge gap for any pursuer. However, for the tifosi and for Ferrari itself, something else matters more: the team's return to the podium and regaining confidence in its abilities. Hamilton is exactly the catalyst Scuderia Ferrari needed to dream of titles again, even if not this season, then the next.
— Editorial Team
