The old rivalry still burns between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but in Montreal on Sunday, it was expressed more through mutual respect than animosity.
Read more Martinius Stenshorne (Rodin) triumphs in a completely crazy race in Montreal
At the end of an intense finish during the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton delivered one of his best performances since joining Ferrari by overtaking Verstappen in the final laps to secure a superb second place and confirm the return to form of his 2026 season.
The overtake recalled the greatest years of the Briton: bold, precise, and executed without the slightest hesitation.
Fighting at the front
After losing ground to Verstappen earlier in the race, the seven-time world champion launched a masterful outside attack at turn 1 in the final moments of the Grand Prix. But even after regaining the lead, Hamilton could never fully relax, with Verstappen sticking close to his Ferrari until the checkered flag.
For Hamilton, this podium had a special emotional value after months of difficult adaptation since his spectacular transfer to Ferrari: “First of all, I want to thank my team here so much,” Hamilton said during the post-race interviews conducted by his former teammate Heikki Kovalainen.
“These guys welcomed me with open arms and this last year and a half has been quite tough. So finally finding our rhythm and having a good weekend, it’s an incredible feeling to be back here at the front,” he rejoiced. “Especially with Mercedes being so fast this weekend… and I even got to fight with Max, which was great.”
This result is Hamilton’s best finish since joining Ferrari and strengthens the impression that the driver and the Scuderia are finally starting to fully exploit their shared potential.
Read more Red Bull mocks Russell after his retirement in Canada and reignites tension with Verstappen
A tough duel
For his part, Verstappen was just as satisfied despite losing second place at the end of the race. The reigning world champion even seemed to enjoy this new battle with his great rival: “I am happy with this result. Nice battle with Lewis at the end.”
“In a weekend where it was not easy to get everything perfectly right, finishing on the podium is very positive,” said the Dutchman. “We need to keep improving faster than our rivals. That’s our goal. We’ll see what we can do in the upcoming races.”
The relationship between the two men appeared even more relaxed a few minutes later in the F1 cooldown room, where fans witnessed a warm exchange between two of the biggest figures of their generation: “I couldn’t shake you off, it was crazy !”, Hamilton said with a smile recalling their duel.
Mutual respect
Verstappen replied: “In the chicanes in the middle of the circuit, you were gaining three tenths every time… but I was catching them back on the straight.”
The Red Bull driver also praised Hamilton’s impressive speed in turn 6, further proof of the respect that the two champions now have for each other. Their rivalry, forged in the historic intensity of the 2021 championship, had long represented the most violent fracture in modern Formula 1.
But while sporting aggression remains intact on track, moments like the one experienced Sunday in Montreal show how much mutual admiration between Hamilton and Verstappen has grown over the years.
Read more George Russell devastated after his retirement in Canada: «I am speechless»