Under grey skies, changing grip levels and the constant threat of chaos at the legendary Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the 2026 Canadian Grand PrixTM delivered exactly the kind of drama Formula 1TM was built upon.
And while the headlines belonged to teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes, Monaco enthusiasts were watching something else just as closely:
Ferrari finally looked alive again.
The podium in Montreal told the story of a sport entering a fascinating new phase:
- Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
- Max Verstappen Red Bull
Meanwhile our own Charles Leclerc fought home in fourth after another complicated afternoon for the Scuderia.
Antonelli’s Arrival Has Become Impossible to Ignore
Montreal may ultimately be remembered as the weekend Formula 1 TM fully understood that Antonelli is no longer merely “the future.”
He is the present.
The young Italian claimed his fourth consecutive Grand PrixTM victory after a breathtaking duel with Mercedes teammate George Russell, whose race heartbreakingly ended in retirement following a power unit failure while leading.
The battle between the two Mercedes drivers electrified the race’s opening half. They traded positions repeatedly through Montreal’s brutal braking zones before Russell’s sudden retirement transformed the race completely. Antonelli then controlled the remaining laps with remarkable maturity under immense pressure from behind.
At only 19, the Italian now looks increasingly like the dominant force of the Formula 1TM new generation.
Hamilton Finally Finds Ferrari’s “Sweet Spot”
Yet for Ferrari, Montreal felt almost like a victory.
After months of frustration, experimentation and endless scrutiny surrounding Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Maranello, the seven-time world champion finally delivered the performance Ferrari had been waiting for.
And it was no ordinary podium.
Hamilton fought aggressively throughout the race, overtaking Verstappen in the later stages of the 70 laps, in a bold move into Turn 1 before defending superbly in the closing stages to secure second place, his strongest Grand PrixTM finish since joining Ferrari.
More importantly, Hamilton sounded transformed afterward.
The Briton revealed Ferrari had finally discovered a setup direction that allowed him to attack corners naturally again, describing the team as having found its “sweet spot.”
Inside Ferrari, this matters enormously.
For weeks the narrative surrounding Hamilton had become increasingly tense. Montreal suddenly changed the atmosphere completely. The emotion inside the Ferrari garage after the race was unmistakable.
Leclerc: Fast, Frustrated and Still Carrying Ferrari’s Hopes
For Monegasque fans, however, the emotional centre of the weekend remained Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc crossed the line fourth, respectable on paper, but frustrating in context.
Leclerc continued wrestling with balance and tyre behaviour, yet showing flashes of the brilliance Monaco knows so well.
At several moments he looked capable of joining the podium fight outright, particularly during the middle stint when Ferrari’s race pace briefly came alive. But unlike Hamilton, he never quite found the rhythm required to attack Verstappen decisively in the closing phases.
Leclerc remains Ferrari’s long-term cornerstone and the spiritual favourite of much of the Scuderia support. But Hamilton’s experience, technical influence and sheer aura are beginning to reshape the internal dynamic.
Rather than weakening Ferrari, Montreal hinted at something potentially dangerous for their rivals: Ferrari may finally be learning how to use both stars effectively.
Montreal Delivers Again
Fast walls. Violent kerbs. Unpredictable weather. Safety cars. Championship drama.
There were overtakes everywhere, strategic gambles collapsing in real time and mechanical heartbreak
For Ferrari, the final result may prove more important than the points table immediately suggests.
Hamilton now has momentum.
Leclerc still has raw speed.
And Ferrari suddenly looks capable of fighting properly again.
That alone changes the complexion of the 2026 season.
