Nico Rosberg and Martin Brundle highlight a remarkable trait in Lewis Hamilton’s Montreal performance

Lewis Hamilton Qualifies Fifth in Canada, Edges Out Leclerc Again as Ferrari Faces Set-Up Struggles

Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong performance during qualifying for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, securing fifth place on the grid. The result marks the second consecutive weekend where the seven-time world champion has outqualified his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, underscoring a recent uptick in his single-lap performance.

Lewis Hamilton’s consistent form in qualifying has been evident in recent races, with Saturday’s top-five result marking his third in a row. Although he suffered a three-place grid drop in Monaco, his raw pace has remained competitive. In Montreal, Charles Leclerc initially looked threatening in Q3 after setting a purple first sector, but his hopes were dashed by a significant slide that compromised his lap. As a result, the former Mercedes man closed the intra-team qualifying scoreline to 7-3, keeping the battle within Ferrari alive.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has long been a Hamilton stronghold. It was here in 2007 that he captured his maiden Formula 1 victory, and since then he has amassed a total of seven wins at the Canadian Grand Prix — a record only equalled by Michael Schumacher. The Briton’s familiarity with the track and his skillful execution under braking have become trademarks of his dominance in Montreal.

Ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session, former teammate Nico Rosberg highlighted Hamilton’s exceptional ability on the brakes, particularly at the critical hairpin near the end of the lap — a corner that can define a driver’s final time. Rosberg, speaking on Sky Sports, described Hamilton as being consistently brilliant at mastering that sector, which he believed was a key reason for the Briton’s enduring success at this venue.

During qualifying, Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle also praised Lewis Hamilton’s performance after reviewing onboard footage. Martin Brundle noted how aggressively Lewis Hamilton attacked Turn 10 and expressed amazement at his late braking, which he still managed to convert into a clean corner entry. He described the braking as “stunning” and commented that he initially doubted Hamilton would make the corner, only for the Briton to prove otherwise with pinpoint execution.

Such positive observations from experienced figures in the paddock come at a critical time for Hamilton, who is still adapting to life at Ferrari. One of the major adjustments he has faced this season involves the braking systems. While Ferrari runs Brembo brakes, Hamilton had grown accustomed to the Carbon Industrie setup during his long stint at Mercedes. Despite this technical transition, he is steadily finding his rhythm.

However, Ferrari’s internal data from the weekend has raised some concerns. Lewis Hamilton and his engineering team reportedly disagreed on the optimal car setup, with both parties approaching the weekend with drastically different philosophies. According to analyst Karun Chandhok, this divergence reflects a relationship that is still developing, with both sides working to build mutual trust in their decision-making processes.

Speculation had briefly emerged about Hamilton’s long-term commitment to Ferrari, but ahead of the race, the British driver reaffirmed his dedication to the project. He emphasized that he remains fully focused on delivering results and adapting to the unique challenges that come with driving for the Maranello-based team.

While Lewis Hamilton remains optimistic about chasing his first podium of the 2025 season on Sunday, there are lingering doubts regarding his race pace. Practice sessions revealed an underwhelming performance, with Hamilton lapping slower than both Williams drivers and even Pierre Gasly in the Alpine — a car that ultimately failed to progress out of Q1.

If Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix follows a typical race script, Hamilton could struggle to match the pace of the Mercedes duo, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. Yet, the streets of Montreal are known for their unpredictability. Safety cars, weather changes, and strategic gambles often turn the race on its head — something Hamilton will hope to capitalize on in his quest to return to the podium.