This is the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari believed it was signing. And what an extraordinary weekend it was for Italy in Canada.
How many people, perhaps even after one too many drinks, would have predicted that Kimi Antonelli would win four of the first five Formula 1 Grands Prix of the season—and all consecutively—launching himself to the top of the world championship standings? Absolutely no one.
Equally unimaginable was the idea that this Formula 1 season would take on such a distinctly Italian flavour, but with an Italy not named Ferrari. It all feels surreal. And yet Kimi Antonelli has become a disruptive, unpredictable force who is now giving Italian fans genuine reason to dream, even to imagine scenarios so ambitious that some may hesitate to say them out loud.
But have you seen the way he drives? Have you seen the relentless way he attacks his rivals? And then there is the transformation that takes place when he gets into the lead. This slim, almost fragile-looking young driver suddenly becomes a giant, sending a clear message to everyone behind him: do not waste your energy chasing, because he is not giving this up.
A star is being born
Canada became the stage for a performance that will be remembered for a long time. Some will argue that Antonelli’s victory was made easier by George Russell’s retirement, but I have no doubt that Kimi Antonelli would have won anyway, even if that fierce but fair battle with his teammate had continued to the chequered flag.
Right now, Antonelli’s brilliance appears to have turned George Russell into a driver lacking certainty in direct combat. The British driver, perhaps feeling the pressure, even made ambiguous comments about racing on “equal machinery,” words that some may interpret as a suggestion that Mercedes has already begun shifting its internal hierarchy toward the young Italian.
There is nothing unusual about this dynamic. Whenever a genuine champion begins to emerge, improving exponentially race after race, the first person to suffer is often the teammate driving the same car.
George Russell, to his credit, fought well. But he now faces the difficult task of resetting mentally and finding his confidence again, something that does not always happen quickly. In the meantime, Kimi Antonelli is only likely to get even stronger. Otherwise, the elegant Englishman may eventually have to start thinking about a future elsewhere.
Hamilton delivers the Ferrari fans were waiting for
If the wheel-to-wheel battles between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli provided the excitement in the opening stages, the closing laps brought a classic duel reminiscent of Formula 1’s finest eras, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen going head-to-head.
This time, it was a masterful Lewis Hamilton who came out on top, securing second place with a performance that was unquestionably his finest since joining Ferrari. The fact that he finished just 10.7 seconds behind the winning Mercedes says plenty about how effective the Ferrari SF-26 proved to be on a circuit built around heavy braking zones and long straights, despite lacking the fast corners that would normally suit the car better.
A Lewis Hamilton performance like this has not been seen in years. This is exactly the version of the seven-time world champion Ferrari expected when it secured one of the biggest driver signings in Formula 1 history.
Because Lewis Hamilton is a highly emotional driver, the Canadian Grand Prix could prove to be a major turning point. Confidence often fuels his best performances, and this result may well push him to even greater heights—assuming this was not simply a one-off inspired by one of his all-time favourite circuits.
Either way, this time it was Lewis Hamilton who carried Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc, by contrast, looked completely lost in the metaphorical desert of Notre Dame Island, a venue that has never truly suited him. However, redemption may come quickly. In two weeks, Formula 1 heads to Monte Carlo, Charles Leclerc’s home race and a venue where Ferrari may feel it has a genuine shot at victory.
Verstappen returns, McLaren disappoints
It was also refreshing to see Max Verstappen and Red Bull back in the fight at the front. The Dutchman once again maximised what was available to him, keeping himself firmly in contention throughout the race.
Far less impressive was McLaren, whose strategic choices at the start were baffling. Opting for intermediate tyres raised eyebrows immediately, and while that decision briefly handed Lando Norris the meaningless distinction of leading for a lap, it ultimately contributed to a disastrous outcome.
Montreal gave Formula 1 the same winner as the previous three Grands Prix, but the competitive order behind him was thoroughly reshuffled. And seeing an Italian driver triumph while Ferrari returns to fighting near the front is not something Formula 1 fans get to enjoy every day.
But what if this is only the beginning?
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