‘Too many risks’ – Hamilton confirms he will likely avoid Ferrari simulator for race prep

Lewis Hamilton has all but ruled out using the Ferrari simulator to prepare for future races, saying there are “too many risks” involved. The seven-time champion's admission comes after his strongest weekend in red at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished second without simulator work.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's stance puts additional pressure on Ferrari's simulation tools. With the driver unwilling to rely on them for race prep, the team must improve correlation between the virtual and real SF-26 to maximize performance—especially as they chase their first win since 2024.

The details:

• Hamilton did not use the simulator before Canada or China — his two best weekends so far in 2026, including a podium in Shanghai.
• He noted that the simulator “feels different” from the actual car, making it counterproductive for him.
• Correlation gap: Hamilton is willing to provide feedback after real-world sessions to help the team improve the simulator, but will not use it as a preparation tool.
• “Pretty much all the championships before, except for probably 2008, I didn’t use the sim, so it’s not a necessity,” Hamilton explains. “I’m old school. I’m probably better without it.”
• Ferrari's SF-26 lacks straight-line speed but is expected to be strong on the tight Monaco streets, where Hamilton is a three-time winner.

What's next:

Hamilton heads to Monaco with renewed confidence after Montreal. Without simulator distraction, he will rely on his natural feel and the team's setup work. Ferrari remains winless since the 2024 Mexican GP, but a breakthrough could come on a circuit that rewards chassis over power.