Lewis Hamilton: I don't need to change up my team, we just need to do what works for me

The seven-time F1 World Champion qualified P5 for both Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix in Montreal, comfortably ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in both sessions, as the Scuderia showed improved pace around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Hamilton has faced mounting scrutiny since his switch from Mercedes to Ferrari at the start of 2025, with inconsistent performances and difficulties adapting to the SF-26 limiting his impact.

But after qualifying within three tenths of pole on Saturday, the Briton said Ferrari had finally delivered a car and environment that allowed him to feel comfortable again. 

“Honestly, for me, my engineering team is now just where I need it, and we've finally got the car this weekend in a place where I really feel like myself, and I really hope that continues,” Hamilton told reporters after qualifying.

“I don't need to change up my team; we just need to keep on working and do what works for me. I'll prepare the same for the next race, and hopefully we'll be a bit better next race.”

Hamilton looked capable of fighting higher up the grid after an excellent first Q3 run briefly put him second fastest with a lap of 1:12.868. However, mistakes on his final attempt prevented further improvement: “I was feeling great up until the last lap.

“Basically, I did a good prep; I came out of the last corner to start the lap and didn't get the SM on, and by the time I realised into Turn 1, I was down two tenths. I caught some of it back but then had that wide moment. When you're pushing and trying to get everything out, it can be on the knife-edge," added Hamilton.

Despite missing out on a stronger grid slot, Hamilton remained upbeat after Ferrari showed clear progress throughout the weekend, with setup changes before qualifying appearing to unlock more confidence in the car.

Ferrari confirmed both drivers progressed through Q1 on used soft tyres before switching to fresh compounds from Q2 onwards. Hamilton’s first Q3 effort briefly placed him on the front row before George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris improved late in the session.

Leclerc, meanwhile, struggled more with traffic and balance issues throughout qualifying. The Monegasque ended up P8 on the grid despite finishing only one tenth behind Hamilton in a tightly packed field. 

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admitted Hamilton had the pace for a stronger result: “It was a tight session, especially in the end, as Lewis was running P2 after the first runs in Q3. Unfortunately he didn't manage to put everything together on his final attempt. It’s a pity because the pace was there and we could have aimed for a stronger result.”

Hamilton also showed promising race pace earlier in Saturday’s sprint, climbing as high as fourth at the start before eventually finishing sixth, one place behind Leclerc. Ferrari collected seven points from the 23-lap contest as both SF-26s stayed competitive in the fight behind the leading Mercedes and McLarens.

The biggest unknown for Sunday now appears to be the weather, with rain forecast over Montreal potentially creating a chaotic and unpredictable Grand Prix.

Vasseur warned: “So far we have never raced these cars on these new tyres in wet conditions, which means teams and drivers will need to learn very quickly, even on the laps to the grid. That could make for a very open race.”

Hamilton believes those changing conditions could hand Ferrari an opportunity: “But the car was feeling good, and the team did a really great job. I hope tomorrow when the weather is better, when it's raining, hopefully we have a good chance.”

The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion shares a record seven victories in Montreal with Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher. Today it could be a dream eighth win for Hamilton, especially if conditions are tricky and fate allows it.

Meanwhile, Hamilton's reality check is that he appears to be in a better place with the car than Ferrari teammate Leclerc so far this weekend in Montreal. But the Monegasque outscored him in the sprint race.