Leclerc shuts down Hamilton simulator theory after Ferrari performance split

Charles Leclerc has firmly dismissed the theory that Lewis Hamilton's decision to step away from simulator sessions was behind his superior performance at the Canadian Grand Prix. While Hamilton surged to second place, Leclerc finished a distant fourth, 34 seconds behind. The Monegasque insists the gap came down to setup and his own lack of confidence, not simulator time.

Why it matters:

The Ferrari intra-team battle is intensifying as both drivers pursue the championship. Leclerc's rebuttal highlights a fundamental difference in preparation philosophy, with Hamilton opting out of sim work while Leclerc continues to use it. How each driver extracts performance from the SF-26 will shape Ferrari's title hopes.

The details:

• Leclerc's explanation: "There's no performance we are seeing today down to a setup... it's not that much." He stressed that modern F1 margins are tiny and his issue was a lack of feeling. "By not having confidence on a day like this, I just didn't push enough."
• Hamilton's weekend: The seven-time champion improved through every session, contrasting sharply with Leclerc's struggles. Hamilton had previously said simulator correlation was lacking at Ferrari.
• The gap: Leclerc finished 34 seconds behind Hamilton in Montreal, a significant disparity for teammates.
• Schumacher's view: Ralf Schumacher tipped Hamilton to outshine Leclerc at Monaco, saying Hamilton looked comfortable with the car while Leclerc struggled. "Charles Leclerc had been like that all weekend. Lewis did a perfect job."

What's next:

The Monaco Grand Prix provides Leclerc a home race opportunity to bounce back. However, Schumacher believes Hamilton is currently in a stronger position. Leclerc has traditionally been strong at Monaco, but Hamilton finished ahead of him in 2023. The pressure is on Leclerc to find confidence quickly and avoid another intra-team defeat.