Hamilton revels in 'best result since Ferrari move' after Canadian GP battle with Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton was thrilled with his second-place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix, calling it his best result since joining Ferrari at the start of last year. The seven-time F1 champion made no attempt to hide his delight, even expressing gratitude for his late-race battle with old adversary Max Verstappen.

"Amazing, honestly, I'm so, so happy. A good day of racing and overall just a really solid weekend," the 105-time grand prix winner told Sky Sports F1 in Montreal. "I've felt on the up, and the team have done a really amazing job just refining the car. For us to be up there battling, and also to have a good battle with Max finally. So, I am really, really grateful and just so, so happy."

Why it matters:

Hamilton's performance signals a meaningful step forward for Ferrari as the 2026 season progresses. After a rocky transition from Mercedes, the 41-year-old is rediscovering his form—and his confidence. His ability to challenge Verstappen in wheel-to-wheel combat, a fixture of their 2021 rivalry, suggests the Scuderia may be closing the gap to Red Bull.

Between the lines:

Hamilton has looked considerably more comfortable with the Italian team since the start of the year. Since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, he has been defiant in tone, calling out critics and insisting the downtrodden figure he cut in 2025 could not return. When it was put to him that he looked like the Hamilton of old, he replied: "There are so many elements that have to come together to get the car in the right place, and I think I finally have that with the engineers that I've got and the car setup within the team. I am much happier and more comfortable in the car. It feels much more like it used to be."

What's next:

Hamilton's enthusiasm is unmistakable: "I love this job. It's the greatest job in the world, and I never take that for granted." With Ferrari showing progress and Hamilton's spirits high, the next few races could see him challenging for more podiums—and perhaps a long-awaited win in red. The 2026 title fight may be heating up far earlier than many expected.