Former Renault Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes Lewis Hamilton’s radio exchanges during the Canadian Grand Prix revealed a completely different mindset from the seven-time world champion, suggesting the Ferrari driver may finally be settling into his new environment and rediscovering the confidence that made him one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
The Montreal weekend turned into Lewis Hamilton’s strongest event since joining Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season. After several inconsistent races and growing scrutiny surrounding his adaptation to the Scuderia, the British driver delivered a highly competitive performance throughout the entire weekend and eventually secured second place in the race, his best Grand Prix result so far as a Ferrari driver.
Lewis Hamilton spent much of the race involved in an intense battle with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Although Max Verstappen managed to overtake Lewis Hamilton for third place early in the Grand Prix on lap nine, the Ferrari driver remained firmly in contention and continued applying pressure across the race distance.
The battle initially appeared to swing decisively in Max Verstappen’s favour after Lewis Hamilton ran slightly wide and touched the grass at the turn eight and turn nine chicane, costing valuable time and momentum. At that stage, it seemed increasingly difficult for the Ferrari driver to remain within striking distance of the reigning world champion.
However, the complexion of the race changed again following the virtual safety car period triggered by George Russell’s retirement. Before the pit stops, Lewis Hamilton had fallen more than five seconds behind Max Verstappen, but Ferrari’s strategy and the pace advantage provided by the medium tyres allowed the British driver to steadily close the gap during the closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix.
With fresher tyres and renewed confidence, Lewis Hamilton gradually hunted down Max Verstappen lap after lap before finally completing a decisive overtake on lap 62. The move secured second position and underlined the improved race pace Ferrari displayed around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Jolyon Palmer highlights a major change in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari mentality
Speaking during F1TV’s post-race analysis, Jolyon Palmer suggested the most important aspect of Lewis Hamilton’s weekend was not simply the finishing position, but the noticeable transformation in his overall approach behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-25.
According to Jolyon Palmer, Lewis Hamilton looked significantly more comfortable with the car from the very first practice session in Montreal. The former Formula 1 driver explained that Lewis Hamilton appeared willing to push the Ferrari aggressively, flirt with the walls, and drive with a level of instinct and enjoyment that had rarely been visible since his high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Jolyon Palmer pointed out that the energy coming from Lewis Hamilton over team radio also reflected this renewed confidence. During the chase for Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the race, Lewis Hamilton encouraged the Ferrari pit wall by telling the team they could still achieve the result and insisting that he was continuing to push.
Jolyon Palmer interpreted that message as evidence that Lewis Hamilton remained fully engaged in the fight for second place rather than settling for a podium finish. He explained that the determination shown by the Ferrari driver demonstrated a level of belief and competitiveness that had been missing at several points earlier in the season.
The British analyst also noted that Lewis Hamilton’s driving style looked much closer to the aggressive and committed version Formula 1 fans had become accustomed to during his dominant years with Mercedes. Rather than appearing cautious or hesitant, Lewis Hamilton attacked the corners with confidence and looked far more connected with the Ferrari package throughout the weekend.
That change was especially important given the difficult period Lewis Hamilton experienced after the opening races of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Although the Ferrari driver initially showed encouraging signs after joining the Maranello-based team, momentum faded following disappointing sixth-place finishes in Japan and Miami, leading to increased questions about whether the partnership could deliver immediate success.
The Canadian Grand Prix, however, offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are beginning to understand how to maximise the potential of the car together. Ferrari’s race pace appeared competitive across all stints, while Lewis Hamilton looked physically refreshed and mentally energised throughout the event.
Lewis Hamilton’s new preparation approach may already be paying off
Another intriguing aspect emerging from the Montreal weekend involved Lewis Hamilton’s preparation methods ahead of the race weekend. The Ferrari driver revealed that he had chosen not to spend time in the simulator before travelling to Canada, instead focusing more heavily on physical recovery, training, and rest.
That decision may have contributed to the noticeably sharper version of Lewis Hamilton seen throughout the weekend. The Ferrari driver appeared relaxed, motivated, and fully engaged from the opening practice session onward, characteristics that had not consistently been present during previous race weekends in 2025.
There is now growing belief within the Formula 1 paddock that Lewis Hamilton could finally be discovering the optimal balance required to succeed at Ferrari. Adapting to a completely different car philosophy, engineering structure, and working environment after more than a decade with Mercedes was always expected to require time, even for a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s calibre.
Importantly for Ferrari, the Canadian Grand Prix also demonstrated stronger chemistry between Lewis Hamilton and the Italian team on race day. Strategy execution, tyre management, and communication all appeared significantly smoother compared to several earlier races this season.
With Ferrari continuing to develop the SF-25 and Charles Leclerc also showing strong pace during the 2025 Formula 1 campaign, the Scuderia may finally be building the foundations required to consistently challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen in the second half of the season.
For Lewis Hamilton personally, the performance in Montreal could become a defining moment in his Ferrari career. Beyond the podium result itself, the race provided visible proof that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion still possesses the speed, aggression, and determination needed to compete at the very front of the grid.
If the Canadian Grand Prix is indeed the beginning of a turning point, Ferrari and Formula 1 fans alike could soon witness a far more dangerous version of Lewis Hamilton alongside teammate Charles Leclerc as the championship battle intensifies throughout the remainder of the 2025 season.
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