Overview
- Hamilton topped SQ1 and was second in SQ2 before dropping to fifth in the final Sprint qualifying shoot-out on Friday at Circuit Gilles‑Villeneuve.
- The seven‑time champion publicly defended his choice not to use Ferrari’s simulator for the weekend and called the result vindication of that approach.
- He and his engineers concentrated on data analysis, through‑corner and mechanical balance, and brake optimisation, and he selected a setup the team had not used before that he says transformed the car.
- Hamilton stopped short of abandoning simulation entirely, saying the sim remains a useful tool for tasks such as power deployment and that its track correlation can be inconsistent.
- The episode highlights a broader F1 debate over heavy simulator reliance versus tailored, engineer-led preparation and could prompt teams and drivers to reassess how they split time between virtual work and hands‑on car setup.