Lewis Hamilton Turns Away From Ferrari Tradition After Canadian… read more 👇 details in the comments section
Seven-time Formula One champion has revealed that he plans to step back from one of Ferrari’s key preparation methods after discovering what he believes is the secret behind his recent improvement on track. Following an impressive performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, the British driver admitted that avoiding simulator work may actually help him perform better during race weekends.
Hamilton endured a difficult beginning to his Ferrari journey after leaving for . The move was one of the biggest stories in Formula One history, but results initially failed to meet expectations. Throughout the early stages of the 2025 season, Hamilton struggled to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery and was unable to secure a podium finish in a Grand Prix.
Although he managed to win a sprint race in Shanghai earlier in the year, consistent success remained out of reach. That changed when he finally claimed a podium finish in China with third place, before delivering an even stronger result in Montreal by finishing second at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Hamilton’s performance in Canada was especially emotional as his mother, Carmen Larbalestier, watched proudly from the Ferrari garage.
After the race, Hamilton explained that he had approached the Canadian Grand Prix differently from previous weekends. Instead of relying heavily on Ferrari’s simulator for preparation, he decided to trust his instincts and experience. According to the 41-year-old, skipping simulator sessions may have played a major role in helping him rediscover his rhythm behind the wheel.
Hamilton has never hidden his doubts about simulator technology, despite how widely it is used in modern Formula One. Many teams depend on advanced simulators to help drivers prepare for races, test setups, and understand track conditions before arriving at a circuit. Ferrari is no different, with the team investing heavily in simulation tools to improve performance.
However, Hamilton believes real-world driving experience matters more than virtual preparation. Reflecting on his career, he pointed out that most of his championship-winning seasons came without heavy reliance on simulator work. In his view, the simulator can still be useful, but only in certain situations.
Speaking after the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton explained that simulators could help Ferrari compare virtual data with what drivers actually experience on track. He suggested that only he and team-mate truly understand how the car feels during a race weekend, making their feedback extremely valuable for development.
Hamilton also mentioned that test drivers working in the simulator can only judge the car based on limited information because they are not racing the machine under real competitive pressure. By comparing real-track feedback with simulator data, Ferrari may be able to improve the accuracy of its virtual models in the future.
Despite acknowledging the simulator’s value for development, Hamilton made it clear that he does not expect to use it regularly for race preparation during the rest of the season. He admitted there are “too many risks” involved and suggested that excessive simulator work may actually disrupt his natural driving feel.
The Ferrari star emphasized that his two strongest race weekends of the season both came after he avoided simulator sessions completely. That pattern convinced him that returning to his more traditional preparation style could be the best path forward.
Hamilton described himself as “old school,” explaining that he prefers relying on instinct, experience, and real track time rather than digital simulations. Considering his record-breaking career and seven world championships, his confidence in that approach is understandable.
As Ferrari continues trying to close the gap to the front-running teams, Hamilton’s comments highlight an interesting clash between modern technology and old-school racing instincts. While Formula One becomes increasingly data-driven, Hamilton’s recent resurgence suggests that experience and driver feel can still make a major difference at the highest level of motorsport.