Hamilton Passes Verstappen for P2, F1 Driver Of The Day
Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen late in the Canadian Grand Prix to take second place and lock in f1 driver of the day honors. The Ferrari driver’s result was his best as a Ferrari driver and his second podium finish of the 2026 season.
Hamilton's late move
Hamilton, the 41-year-old seven-time world champion, passed Verstappen around the outside of Turn 1 during the final stint after the two had run nose-to-tail in the closing laps. Earlier in the race, he had lost out to Verstappen before fighting back when the pressure sharpened late.
That final move mattered because it changed the order at the front and gave Hamilton second place after a duel that stayed tight until the finish. He also reached a career milestone with his 204th rostrum appearance.
Verstappen's first podium
Verstappen was not frustrated by the exchange. He said he was happy with the cool battle at the end and called the podium “extremely positive” in a weekend when it was not easy to get things right.
His finish was his first podium of the season, and he said the target is to keep improving better than their opposition. He also pointed to the middle chicanes, where he said he would pull three tenths before losing it back on the straight.
Cooldown room details
The post-race conversation carried the same tone. Hamilton said, “At the end, I don’t know if it was Bortoleto. Oh god!” and added, “I don’t know if our car is extra draggy or it is just the power.”
He also thanked his team, saying, “Firstly, I have to say a huge thank you to my team here,” and that they had welcomed him “with open arms.” Hamilton said it had been “pretty tough over the past year and a bit,” before finding the team’s sweet spot and getting back up there.
For Hamilton, the drive delivered a clear step forward: his strongest Ferrari result and a second podium in 2026. For Verstappen, the Canadian Grand Prix ended with a first trip to the podium this season and a battle he said he was happy to have fought at the end.
