Lewis Hamilton Reveals Challenge of Beating Verstappen in Canada

Lewis Hamilton has revealed the scale of the challenge he faced while battling Max Verstappen during the closing stages of the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver eventually secured second place after completing a decisive overtaking move at Turn 1, delivering his strongest result since joining the Maranello-based team at the beginning of the 2025 season.

For much of the race in Montreal, Hamilton remained tucked in behind Verstappen. While Ferrari demonstrated strong pace through the corners, Red Bull's superior straight-line speed made overtaking significantly more difficult than the final result suggested.

Hamilton explained that the battle reminded him of the racing instincts that have defined his career since his karting days. As Verstappen's pace began to fade during the medium-tyre stint, the seven-time world champion sensed an opportunity and gradually increased the pressure.

Baca JugaSergio Perez Desak Cadillac Selidiki Kerusakan Suspensi di Kanada

"It was awesome. Absolutely awesome to fight with one of the greats. It was massively challenging. I think our cars are relatively close. We were relatively close in qualifying as well. Whilst we're probably a little bit quicker through the corners, everything you gain in the corner, they gain on the straight," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.

From a technical standpoint, the duel highlighted the contrasting strengths of the two cars. Ferrari appeared stronger in braking zones and direction changes, while Red Bull retained a clear advantage in acceleration and top speed efficiency. As a result, Hamilton needed to carefully prepare his attack rather than relying purely on raw pace.

The British driver revealed that overtaking Verstappen required more than simply having a faster car. Energy deployment management played a crucial role, with the current Formula 1 regulations placing a greater emphasis on battery usage during wheel-to-wheel battles.

"Once he got onto the medium tyre, I was able to hunt him down. I love that hunt. My whole life has been about that since I was a kid with an old go-kart. It was amazing to be back in that position and hunting down a champion ahead," Hamilton explained.

Hamilton also reiterated concerns about Ferrari's apparent power deficit compared to some of its key rivals. According to the British driver, Red Bull continued to enjoy an advantage on the straights even when Ferrari activated its overtaking modes.

That reality forced Hamilton to manage his electrical energy deployment with exceptional precision. Every lap required careful calculations to ensure sufficient battery energy was available at the most critical points of the circuit, both for attack and defence.

"Even when we have the overtake mode, they still have more power on the straights. I was doing calculations all the time, trying to maximise the battery energy on every straight and make sure I had enough at exactly the right moment. Thank God I managed to pull it off," he said.

The battle became one of the standout moments of the Canadian Grand Prix, bringing together two of Formula 1's most successful drivers of the modern era. While second place alone may not transform Ferrari's championship prospects, Hamilton's ability to challenge and defeat Verstappen in direct combat provides an encouraging sign that the Scuderia is beginning to establish a more competitive platform. As Formula 1 heads into the European phase of the season, the momentum gained in Montreal could prove valuable in Ferrari's efforts to close the gap to the front of the field.