Lewis Hamilton heads into the Canadian Grand Prix with a sense of cautious optimism, believing Ferrari still has a genuine opportunity to fight further up the order despite a frustrating qualifying session that left the seven-time world champion starting from fifth on the grid.
The Montreal weekend has already shown flashes of promise for Ferrari, particularly for Lewis Hamilton, who has looked increasingly comfortable around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. While the final qualifying result may not fully reflect the pace that appeared available in the Ferrari SF-26, the British driver remains encouraged by the overall performance level — especially with unpredictable weather threatening to turn the race into a strategic and sporting lottery.
Lewis Hamilton felt Ferrari had more to offer in qualifying
Although fifth place on the grid is a respectable starting position, Lewis Hamilton suggested Ferrari had the potential to achieve more in Saturday’s session.
Speaking ahead of the race during the drivers’ parade, the Ferrari driver made it clear that he did not view qualifying as a disappointing outcome, despite the missed opportunity to start higher up the order: “I wouldn’t say yesterday was disappointing because I’ve genuinely been enjoying the weekend,” Lewis Hamilton explained. “I love driving at this circuit, and honestly I’m sad it’s already the final day.”
His comments underline how positive his connection with the Ferrari package has felt in Canada compared to some previous weekends. More importantly, Lewis Hamilton believes the raw pace was there to challenge closer to the front: “There was a lot of potential, and I think we could have been fighting for third on the grid,” he said.
That assessment aligns with Ferrari’s broader weekend picture, where the SF-26 has shown enough one-lap competitiveness to stay within touching distance of the leading group, even if Mercedes and McLaren have still looked slightly stronger overall.
A technical issue cost Lewis Hamilton on his final lap
One of the more revealing elements of Lewis Hamilton’s comments was his explanation for why the decisive final Q3 lap failed to deliver the improvement Ferrari had hoped for.
Rather than attributing the lost opportunity to driver error, Lewis Hamilton pointed toward a technical limitation that compromised the car’s performance at exactly the wrong moment: “I didn’t actually make a mistake on that final lap,” he explained. “There was something else where the power was too low, which meant the straight-line mode wouldn’t activate.”
That issue is particularly significant at a circuit like Montreal, where strong acceleration and straight-line efficiency are essential lap time factors. Losing access to optimal power deployment can be the difference between gaining positions and being left exposed.
For Ferrari, it represents another frustrating example of how small technical details can have major consequences in a field where margins are measured in hundredths.
Weather could transform Ferrari’s race prospects
If qualifying left Lewis Hamilton with unfinished business, Sunday’s changing weather conditions may provide the perfect opportunity to recover.
With cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain threatening to disrupt the competitive order, the Canadian Grand Prix may become far less predictable than a straightforward dry race. That uncertainty could work in Ferrari’s favour.
Lewis Hamilton’s vast experience in mixed and wet conditions remains one of his greatest strengths, while chaotic races often reward adaptability, racecraft and strategic decision-making as much as outright car performance. Starting from fifth, Lewis Hamilton remains close enough to the front to capitalise quickly if conditions deteriorate or if the race develops unpredictably.
“With these tricky conditions, anything is possible,” Lewis Hamilton concluded.
For Ferrari, that may be the most important message of all heading into one of the most uncertain races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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