Lewis Hamilton’s second-place finish in Montreal has shone a spotlight on several of the Ferrari SF-26’s strongest characteristics. In the cool Canadian conditions, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion was able to exploit the Ferrari’s superior rear downforce package to overcome Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Even in terms of straight-line speed, the deficit to the RB22 appeared considerably smaller than many observers had expected, providing Ferrari with several encouraging signs as the championship heads toward Monaco.
For now, Ferrari remains the clear second force in the Formula 1 pecking order. The Scuderia managed to hold its position in Canada despite widespread predictions that both McLaren and Red Bull would move ahead in the competitive hierarchy. The Woking-based squad effectively removed itself from the fight through what many regarded as an extremely aggressive and ultimately unsuccessful tyre strategy, while Max Verstappen’s Red Bull eventually had to concede defeat to Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable recovery drive on a circuit where the British driver has traditionally excelled throughout his career.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has often been one of Lewis Hamilton’s strongest venues, and once again the British driver demonstrated why he has enjoyed so much success there over the years. His confidence, race management and ability to maximize the potential of the SF-26 were on full display, allowing Ferrari to secure one of its most encouraging results of the season so far.
At last, Ferrari has found some satisfaction on the Formula 1 front. However, the same cannot be said for the company’s stock market performance. When financial markets reopened following Ferrari’s latest product presentation, the company’s shares suffered a significant decline, losing approximately six percent of their value. Investors reacted cautiously to the unveiling of the Luce, Ferrari’s first fully electric road car, which was officially presented in Rome.
The Luce represents a bold new chapter for the Maranello manufacturer. Ferrari has deliberately chosen a design philosophy that distances itself from the visual identity traditionally associated with the brand’s most famous road cars. Unsurprisingly, the launch has generated considerable debate among enthusiasts and investors alike.
Perhaps the automotive world simply needs time to adapt to something radically different, just as the transition from combustion engines to electric powertrains requires a change in mindset. The Luce offers staggering technical specifications, including 1,050 horsepower and 990 Newton-metre of torque, supported by highly sophisticated engineering solutions and an exceptionally advanced interior design. Ferrari clearly intends for the model to stand apart from the competition rather than follow existing trends.
The company appears willing to accept criticism in the short term if it believes the long-term vision is correct. Collectors and loyal Ferrari customers are expected to compete fiercely to secure one of these cars, but the success of the project should probably be assessed over several years rather than within a few weeks of its launch. In many ways, a similar argument can be made regarding the SF-26 Formula 1 car.
The Ferrari designed under the technical leadership of Loic Serra still lacks the outright pace necessary to consistently challenge Mercedes. Although few individuals within Maranello are willing to publicly address the issue, there remains a strong suspicion that the controversy surrounding Mercedes’ alleged higher compression ratio, combined with specially developed fuel characteristics, may have increased the power gap beyond the approximately 20-horsepower deficit that was estimated at the beginning of the season.
This topic has become one of the most discussed technical subjects in the Formula 1 paddock. From June 1, the FIA’s procedure for measuring engine compression ratios changes significantly. Instead of being assessed at ambient temperatures, inspections will now be conducted with oil temperatures reaching 130 degrees Celsius.
Mercedes representatives have repeatedly stated that the revised testing procedure will not alter the performance of their power unit and that the team remains fully compliant with all FIA regulations. While there is no evidence to suggest otherwise, many rival teams are waiting with interest to see whether the new testing methods reveal any changes in the competitive order over the coming races.
The prevailing narrative throughout Formula 1 is that Ferrari possesses one of the strongest chassis packages and one of the most innovative aerodynamic concepts on the grid, yet continues to be limited by a power unit that has failed to reach the performance level initially expected. That is why Ferrari is eagerly awaiting the FIA’s decision regarding ADUO concessions.
The objective is straightforward: reduce, or perhaps even halve, the estimated power deficit to Mercedes and place the Scuderia back into a realistic position to challenge for victories on a more consistent basis. Should Ferrari receive favourable ADUO concessions, the second half of the season could become considerably more competitive.
Canada, however, already provided several fascinating clues that should not be ignored.
Lewis Hamilton’s second-place finish deserves particularly close analysis because it revealed important characteristics of the SF-26 that could become increasingly significant at certain circuits. On the long straight leading to the final chicane and the famous Wall of Champions, Ferrari surrendered only 2.7 km/h to the Red Bull. Considering that Red Bull’s power unit is widely regarded as being close to Mercedes in overall performance, the deficit was surprisingly small.
That difference becomes even less significant when viewed in the broader context of the lap. Lewis Hamilton lost little more than one tenth of a second to race winner Kimi Antonelli in the final sector, demonstrating that Ferrari was able to remain remarkably competitive despite its apparent power disadvantage.
Part of the explanation may lie in Ferrari’s innovative aerodynamic solutions. The so-called reverse rear wing concept, often nicknamed the “Macarena” wing within paddock circles, appears to be delivering impressive results. Compared with the standard specification, the package is reportedly worth approximately 8.5 km/h in straight-line performance, helping Ferrari compensate for at least some of the deficit generated by the power unit.
The SF-26 also appears to possess one of the strongest rear-downforce packages on the grid. This characteristic became particularly valuable in Montreal, where air temperatures hovered around 13 degrees Celsius while track temperatures remained close to 17 degrees. Under those conditions, tyre management became a crucial factor. Ferrari was able to maintain tyre temperatures within the optimal operating window more effectively than several rivals, allowing Lewis Hamilton to extract consistent performance throughout long stints. In modern Formula 1, where tyre behaviour often dictates race outcomes, this represents a significant strength.
Lewis Hamilton also adopted a more aggressive setup philosophy than teammate Charles Leclerc. The British driver accepted greater risk by opting for a setup featuring increased camber angles, sacrificing some efficiency in straight-line running while improving support and grip during cornering transitions.
The decision was not without potential drawbacks. Such a setup can reduce braking stability and make the car more difficult to control under heavy deceleration. However, Lewis Hamilton was prepared to accept those compromises in pursuit of a higher performance ceiling. The gamble ultimately paid off. For perhaps the first time since joining Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton appeared completely comfortable with the car’s behaviour across an entire race weekend. The resulting podium finish represented a significant psychological boost both for the driver and for the team.
Naturally, the performance has shifted attention toward Monaco. The Principality presents a completely different challenge compared to Montreal. Straight-line speed becomes far less important, while mechanical grip, chassis quality, low-speed traction and aerodynamic downforce take center stage. These are precisely the areas where Ferrari appears strongest.
If engine power is less influential around the streets of Monte Carlo, then Ferrari may have a genuine opportunity to fight for the biggest prizes available during the weekend. Pole position remains critically important in Monaco, where overtaking opportunities are extremely limited, but the characteristics of the circuit appear well suited to the strengths of the SF-26.
Following his podium finish in Canada, Lewis Hamilton suggested that Ferrari’s progress had been gradual but meaningful. The British driver indicated that if Ferrari could secure second place on a circuit where engine performance remains highly important, then there was reason to believe the team could perform even better at venues where power is less decisive.
Although Lewis Hamilton stopped short of making bold predictions, it was clear that his attention had already shifted toward Monaco and the opportunities that the famous street circuit might present. Meanwhile, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has attempted to manage expectations. Rather than focusing exclusively on Monaco, the Frenchman has pointed toward Spain, where Ferrari is expected to introduce its second major aerodynamic package of the season.
According to Fred Vasseur’s thinking, the team’s true resurgence could begin in Barcelona, where the new upgrades will have a greater opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness over a more conventional circuit layout. The French team boss appears convinced that the most substantial gains may arrive there rather than in Monaco.
Nevertheless, Monaco remains impossible to ignore. The home race of Charles Leclerc appears almost tailor-made to highlight everything the SF-26 does well while minimizing the impact of its most significant weaknesses. The combination of high downforce demands, low average speeds and limited emphasis on engine power could create one of Ferrari’s best opportunities of the season.
For that reason, Ferrari supporters are fully justified in approaching the Monaco Grand Prix with optimism. While Mercedes remains the benchmark and favourite heading into the next phase of the championship, the evidence gathered in Canada suggests that Ferrari may already possess many of the ingredients required to challenge at the front. If the lessons from Montreal prove representative rather than circuit-specific, Ferrari could arrive in Monaco with a realistic chance of fighting for pole position, challenging for victory and perhaps delivering its strongest overall performance of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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