The Canadian Grand Prix may have delivered another major championship twist at the front, but much of the post-race discussion focused on Ferrari—and, more specifically, the internal dynamic between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
While Mercedes youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli strengthened his grip on the 2026 Formula 1 title fight with another commanding victory, Ferrari’s weekend told a very different story. Lewis Hamilton delivered one of his most convincing performances since joining the Scuderia, securing a podium finish after showing strong pace and consistency throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc endured what he later described as one of the toughest weekends of his entire Formula 1 career.
That contrast did not go unnoticed—and 1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes there may have been a psychological element at play inside the Ferrari garage.
Jacques Villeneuve questions Charles Leclerc’s reaction to Lewis Hamilton’s pace
During the race, Charles Leclerc made a notable team radio comment, telling Ferrari he had no interest in hearing what lap times Lewis Hamilton was producing.
For Jacques Villeneuve, that message revealed more than simple frustration.
Speaking in his post-race analysis, the former world champion suggested that the emotional response from Charles Leclerc may have reflected the pressure of seeing his Ferrari team-mate operating at a higher level throughout the weekend.
In Villeneuve’s view, knowing what your team-mate is doing is a crucial part of race management, particularly in a top Formula 1 team where direct comparison is unavoidable. The Canadian implied that dismissing that information was a sign of visible frustration, especially as Charles Leclerc also made several mistakes during key phases of the race.
Jacques Villeneuve also pointed to the contrast in driving styles, noting that Lewis Hamilton appeared comfortable attacking the car aggressively while still maintaining tyre performance—something that suggested a level of confidence Ferrari fans had not consistently seen from the seven-time world champion since his move to Maranello.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari progress becoming impossible to ignore
For much of his Ferrari journey, questions surrounded whether Lewis Hamilton would ever truly adapt to the Scuderia’s systems, working methods and technical philosophy.
But in Montreal, the signs of progress were unmistakable.
From practice through race day, Lewis Hamilton looked composed, competitive and increasingly connected with the SF-26. His podium finish was not simply the result of circumstances unfolding ahead of him—it was built on genuine pace, clean execution and a level of confidence that had often been missing earlier in his Ferrari tenure.
That makes the comparison even more painful for Charles Leclerc, who has traditionally been Ferrari’s benchmark driver and the man most naturally aligned with the team’s machinery.
Charles Leclerc calls Canadian GP a “nightmare”
After the race, Charles Leclerc made no attempt to hide his disappointment.
The Monegasque admitted that the entire Canadian Grand Prix weekend had been a disaster from the very first session, explaining that he never managed to establish any meaningful connection with the tyres.
According to the Monegasque, the lack of confidence remained constant from the opening laps of free practice all the way to the chequered flag. He acknowledged that during the closing stages of the race, he was driving significantly below the car’s true pace simply to avoid taking excessive risks after several uncomfortable moments. The Ferrari driver went as far as describing Montreal as possibly the most difficult weekend of his Formula 1 career—a striking admission from a driver known for his self-awareness and high standards.
A Ferrari team battle beginning to shift?
It would be premature to suggest a complete shift in Ferrari’s internal hierarchy based on a single race weekend. Charles Leclerc has consistently been Ferrari’s reference point for years and remains one of the fastest qualifiers in Formula 1. However, Montreal may have offered the clearest indication yet that Lewis Hamilton is beginning to fully settle into life at Ferrari.
If that trend continues, the Italian side could soon find itself with a fascinating internal battle—not just for podiums, but potentially for team leadership as the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds.
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