During the buildup to the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar shared a lighthearted moment by teasing 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli for waving at seemingly empty air during the drivers‘ parade. This playful incident involving Isack Hadjar and Lewis Hamilton troll Kimi Antonelli drew attention amidst the pre-race excitement in Montreal.
The amusing episode occurred as the drivers paraded in front of the crowd. Antonelli was seen enthusiastically waving, yet no fans or spectators appeared nearby. Hadjar noticed this and quickly pointed it out to Hamilton. Both drivers, engaged in a conversation, chuckled quietly at the moment while Antonelli continued his energetic wave, oblivious to their reaction.
Beyond the pre-race fun, the Canadian Grand Prix presented challenges for all three drivers. Hamilton faced setbacks after sustaining damage to his car on lap 13, which hampered his race progress significantly. Meanwhile, Hadjar experienced a difficult start, losing several positions during the early laps. In contrast, Antonelli managed a positive start by improving his position, moving up from fourth place in the opening stint.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Adjusting His Driving to Ferrari’s Demands
Lewis Hamilton has openly discussed the challenges he has encountered adapting to the Scuderia Ferrari car after his transfer. The British driver acknowledged the need to modify his driving style to better suit the characteristics of the SF-25, which performed quite differently from his previous vehicles.
At 40 years old, Hamilton described how he was experimenting with adjustments during the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session to find better grip and handling through corners. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hamilton said:
“We had a good solid day yesterday and then today we made progress. We didn’t change a huge amount, and the car felt solid. We moved forwards — which I think is a first for this season. So I’m grateful to get through to Q3.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
“Probably today most progress came from my driving, changing and adapting my driving style. I just made a few changes in how I was driving the car. This car drives so differently to what I had before. You go into low-speed corners and you’re waiting and waiting — it doesn’t want to turn. It’s definitely not suited for this circuit.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Despite these adaptations, Hamilton’s race day did not unfold as hoped, highlighting ongoing difficulties with the car’s performance on race day compared to qualifying.
Race Day Performances of Antonelli, Hadjar, and Hamilton
The Canadian Grand Prix proved to be a testing ground for all three drivers beyond their shared moment of humor. Antonelli’s early gains showed promise, lifting himself from fourth on the grid to higher positions during the opening part of the race. Conversely, Hadjar struggled to maintain his standing, slipping back through the field during the initial rounds.
Hamilton, who had earlier praised his progress in qualifying, encountered an unfortunate incident that compromised his efforts. The damage sustained in the early laps disrupted his momentum, preventing him from making a strong impression and highlighting the challenges Ferrari faces with the car’s reliability and race pace.
Impact of the Incident and What to Expect Next
This playful interaction between Hamilton, Hadjar, and Antonelli offers a glimpse into the lighter moments that occur even under the pressure of Grand Prix racing, showing the human side of the drivers amid intense competition. For Hamilton, adapting to Ferrari continues to be a work in progress, reflected both in his qualifying improvements and race day setbacks.
As the Formula 1 season continues, Hamilton and Ferrari will likely focus on refining car performance and consistency. Meanwhile, younger drivers like Antonelli and Hadjar aim to build momentum through experiences gained in races such as the Canadian Grand Prix, which shapes their development amid a highly competitive field.
