Lewis Hamilton described his second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix as the “happiest day” of his Ferrari career so far after producing his strongest race performance since joining the Italian team.
The seven-time world champion left Montreal with renewed belief after a dramatic battle with Max Verstappen and a result that could mark a turning point in his season.
Lewis Hamilton relished intense battle with Verstappen in Canada
Hamilton started fifth on the grid but steadily worked his way into contention in a race packed with strategy and wheel-to-wheel action.
The Ferrari driver eventually found himself locked in a tense fight with Verstappen, with the pair battling for position in the closing stages around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The Briton later admitted that chasing down Verstappen had been one of the highlights of his weekend.
“It was awesome, absolutely awesome to fight with one of the greats,” Hamilton said to the media post-race.
“It was massively challenging. I think our cars are relatively close. In qualifying, we were relatively close, and I think whilst we’re probably a little bit quicker through the corners, everything you gain in the corner, they gain on the straight.
“Obviously, I lost a bit of time, he was quicker at the beginning of the race and then once he got into the medium, I was able to hunt him down.
“And I love that hunt. That’s [what] my whole life has been about since a kid, since I had a really old go-kart, I was just always hunting.
“So, it was amazing to be back in that position and hunting down a champion up ahead.”
His decisive move helped secure second place and gave Ferrari their biggest boost so far this season.
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Hamilton says Canada result is happiest moment of Ferrari spell
Speaking after the race, Hamilton made no secret of his emotions.
“Oh man, it’s the happiest day of my days at Ferrari so far,” said the seven-time world champion.
“It feels great to be able to put the Ferrari on the podium, and to get my first second place with the team as well in the main race, and this is my second podium as well.
“I’m just elated and so proud of the team for working so hard. I finally have the engineering team that I’ve been working towards.
“I think our car is great, the guys did a fantastic job over the winter to get the car where it is, and I think I understand it a lot better and much more comfortable with it.
“Whilst we’re not exactly where we want to be, to get a result like this capitalises [on]…we’ve got great reliability. This is awesome, and a big thanks to the team.
Mentally in a good place
“Honestly it’s the best feeling. I feel very light right now.
“I feel great in my body – physically I’m very, very strong, and clearly mentally in a good place and I arrived this weekend with mega energy, and I want to take this forwards,” Hamilton continued.
The result represented Hamilton’s best Grand Prix finish as a Ferrari driver and continued signs of progress after a difficult start to life with the Scuderia.
Ferrari found a better balance and setup approach in Canada, allowing Hamilton to feel more connected with the car throughout the weekend.
While Ferrari still have work to do in closing the gap to the front, Hamilton’s performance in Canada offered perhaps the clearest sign yet that both driver and team may finally be moving in the right direction.
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SportJustSport writers 
Ella Magyar