Lewis Hamilton has defended his unusual decision not to use a simulator in preparation for the Canadian Grand Prix, declaring that Sprint qualifying was the best he has felt in 2026.

The seven-time world champion looked competitive from the outset on Friday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before going on to qualify fifth for the Sprint.

Hamilton had been in contention for a second-row start, although he made a mistake at the hairpin on his final flying lap.

Nevertheless, the 41-year-old was delighted with both his performance and the feeling of the car, convincing him that the way forward is to continue avoiding simulator work.

“It’s probably the best qualifying session we’ve had for some time,” Hamilton said. “Great work with the engineers on the set-up changes – the car felt really fantastic from FP1. We made subtle changes going into quali.

“SQ1 and SQ2 were looking good and then I don’t know why the others are able to turn up a little bit more, I don’t know. I’m just happy to be there in the fight.

“I was having so much fun out there. Also, the fact that I didn’t do the sim and this is the best I’ve felt all year so I think that’s the way forward for me.”

Hamilton’s Canada prep

Using a simulator to prepare for a grand prix has become the norm across not just Formula One but most single-seater championships, although Hamilton has never been a fan.

Intriguingly, the last time he skipped using a simulator was for China last year, a grand prix he regards as his best of the season.

Given how he has already felt in Montreal, Hamilton appears set to continue working directly with his engineers in preparation for races rather than spending time in the simulator.

Asked what his Canada preparation consisted of, Hamilton explained: “Yeah, we worked really hard sifting through the data in the last couple of weeks.

“I found that so much more beneficial in terms of one, I was able to just focus on training and not be distracted, and then the second part is just really going through with a fine comb with ride stability, through corner balances and mechanical balance.

“I chose a set-up that we’ve never used before and it’s transformed the car for me, so I hope that bodes well for the rest of the weekend.”