Lewis Hamilton says not using Ferrari’s simulator is “the way forward” for him after being encouraged by his performance in the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying.
Hamilton looked like Mercedes’ closest challenger for much of the session, only to make a small mistake on his last run which left him fifth on the grid for Saturday’s shortened race.
But his effort was still good enough to beat his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc for the first time since the second round in China in any competitive session on the track.
After being clearly outperformed by Leclerc at the last two races in Japan and Miami, Hamilton confirmed on Thursday in Montreal that he had not used the simulator ahead of this weekend’s event.
“That’s probably the best qualifying session we’ve had for some time,” Hamilton said. “Just really great work with the engineers, setup changes, the car felt really fantastic from P1, and we made just subtle changes going into qualy.
“SQ1 and SQ2 were looking good, and then I don’t know why the others are able to like turn up a little bit more, I don’t know.
“But I’m just happy to be there in the fight. I was having so much fun out there. And, also, the fact that I didn’t do the sim, and it was the best I’ve felt all year, so I think that’s the way forward for me.”
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a happy hunting ground for Hamilton as he claimed his maiden pole position and victory at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007.
Ferrari were not expecting to challenge at the front this weekend as they do not have any upgrades, whereas Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull have new parts on their cars.
But, Hamilton says the three-week gap since the last race has provided Ferrari an opportunity to “sift through the data” and understand their car.
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“I found that so much more beneficial in terms of, one, I was able to just focus on training and not be distracted,” he said.
“And the second part is just like really going through with a fine comb on ride stability, through corner balances and mechanical balance.
“And I chose a setup that we’ve never used before and it’s transformed the car for me, so I hope that bodes well for the rest of the weekend.”
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Leclerc revealed he has been “struggling with the brakes” which he did not understand and contributed to his lack of pace on Friday.
“I haven’t been at ease at all with the car. We need to look into it and try to find something for tomorrow or it is going to be a very long weekend,” he said.
“With the brakes I get into the corners hoping I don’t end up going straight. That is the main issue. Other than that the car feels okay.
“Lewis has been incredibly quick this weekend but I need to work on the feelings with the brakes. Hopefully we can turn the situation around.”
Martin Brundle believes the Canadian Grand Prix could deliver drama this year, as the new F1 cars face the challenges of the circuit’s demanding layout
Verstappen: My feet were slipping off the pedals
After an encouraging weekend in Miami, Red Bull were over half a second adrift of Sprint pole-sitter George Russell with Max Verstappen unhappy in seventh with the steering during practice and suggested his car was not handling the kerbs and bumps as they should.
Verstappen, who was one tenth ahead of team-mate Isack Hadjar, says he was “not surprised” about Red Bull’s significant pace deficit.
“My feeling in the car was not very good,” said the four-time world champion.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen admits he wasn’t surprised to qualify just seventh for the Sprint in Canada
“I was struggling a lot with the ride of the car. I couldn’t put my foot down, my feet were flying off the pedals. It made it very difficult to be consistent.
“That is something we need to investigate. We are stuck with that for the Sprint. Hopefully it will be better for [race] Qualifying.”
McLarens banking on fast starts to beat Mercedes in Sprint
Mercedes’ biggest weakness this season has been the start of races as only once out of the six starts in Sprints and Grands Prix has one of the Silver Arrow led after the opening corners.
McLaren have been the best starters, along with Ferrari, so Lando Norris in third and Oscar Piastri in fourth are targeting the first few hundred metres to jump ahead of the Mercedes front row.
“Our starts have been better than the Ferraris all year,” said Piastri.
“I am sure it is only a matter of time before Mercedes get theirs competitive as well but until that time comes we will try our best to take advantage.”
Lando Norris encouraged by McLaren’s gains after Sprint Qualifying P3 at the Canadian GP
McLaren brought the second part of their upgrade from Miami to Canada but elected to not run their new front wing in Sprint Qualifying.
Norris admits he was “a little worried” following practice and surprised McLaren were able to fill the second row.
“The car feels decent. Some things are maybe more questionable but it is such a weird track this, so low grip. You are bouncing off kerbs,” he said.
“You are not getting a true representation of everything and it is hard to back up what we are getting from the wind tunnel.
“We need a bit more time with some bits and will probably reintroduce them next week or in Barcelona. But the rest of the car was working well. It’s a good step forward.”
Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule
A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard camera at the Canadian Grand Prix
Saturday May 23
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP Sprint build-up
5pm: CANADIAN GP SPRINT
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up*
9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday May 24
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 9pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
