Lewis Hamilton credits new race engineer Carlo Santi for Ferrari’s Montreal upswing. The seven-time champion finished second, his best Ferrari result, after out-qualifying Charles Leclerc in sprint and Grand Prix.

Santi replaced Riccardo Adami over winter. The fresh partnership sharpened communication and set-up direction, giving Hamilton a clearer platform to extract pace across practice, qualifying, and mixed-conditions race execution.

Support engineer Cedric-Michel Grosjean, recruited from McLaren, strengthened Hamilton’s side. Together with Santi, he unlocked a more neutral balance, improving corner entry confidence and aggression without destabilising tyre temperatures.

Ferrari’s response reflects Fred Vasseur’s willingness to reshape engineering structures. The team prioritised Hamilton’s preferences on run plans, tools, and cockpit details to widen the car’s operating window.

The gains mirror Ferrari’s technical breakthrough documented after Montreal, underscoring better mechanical platform and repeatable tyre preparation.

Against Leclerc, the shift is significant but not political. It simply aligns set-up to Hamilton’s driving traits, creating healthy intra-team pressure and more consistent baseline performance across both cars.

On track, Hamilton reported improved rotation at corner entry and stability on exit. That balance let him attack kerbs harder and sustain pace through stints without overheating the tyres.

Strategically, the team executed cleanly through variable Montreal conditions. Communication with Santi on traffic windows and tyre phase appeared sharper, supporting the qualifying gains and the podium finish.

The question now is sustainability. If repeatable, this package trims Ferrari’s deficit and eases development choices, focusing upgrades on ride control, traction, and high-speed platform consistency.

Hamilton’s long-term commitment gives Ferrari organisational stability. That continuity strengthens driver-engineer chemistry across the calendar, as outlined in his contract commitment and the team’s broader planning horizon.

Equally, Hamilton’s more methodical, sometimes old-school approach to set-up choices has re-emerged, a theme explored in recent analysis.

Canada does not guarantee a title fight. But the direction is clear: tighter execution, a car closer to Hamilton’s needs, and a team more confident in weekend processes.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.