“How are you, Montreal? “Launched a smiling Lewis Hamilton at the microphone after the race, making the crowd react, already overjoyed to see the seven-time world champion on the third step of the podium.
Posted at 7:28 p.m.
The Mercedes driver achieved his second podium of this difficult season where he won his first career Grand Prix 15 years ago; on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.
Hamilton, who started fourth on the starting grid, overtook Fernando Alonso’s Alpine in 24e lap to take third place for the first time in the race. He slipped to fourth place at 45e lap, behind his team-mate George Russell, before recovering his place when the latter, in turn, carried out a tire change.
Despite the safety car at 50e lap, Hamilton was able to maintain the pace to finish behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr. Russell took fourth place.
“It’s very emotional to get this third place – it’s so difficult this season with the car – but we stayed focused, we always worked and I’m very proud of our team,” he said. said in an interview immediately after the race.
The crowd gave the pilot a standing ovation, with whom they have a special relationship. “It’s my second podium of the year and I’m very happy about it, especially here, where I won my first career victory and where the public has always encouraged me,” he said. elsewhere hinted.
A light at the end of the tunnel
Lewis Hamilton is used to delivering great performances on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit. To be honest, he is used to winning. He has done this seven times in the past. But this time the situation was different.
We know it ; nothing is going well this season for the 37-year-old athlete, who is struggling to adapt to his new single-seater and has to deal with enormous physical pain due to porpoising – this aerodynamic phenomenon which causes vibrations and violent jolts in the cars.
The Mercedes star has therefore not won any race so far. Before the Canadian Grand Prix, he had only managed a third place. In total, he and Russell only had four podiums between them.
No doubt, therefore, that these results will be like a light at the end of the tunnel for the team. Especially since the weekend didn’t start particularly well during free practice. Team boss Toto Wolff even called the car a “huge shit box” after the first session.
“Our pace was really good today. We are slowly getting closer, so we have to keep working, pushing and we can hope to get back into the fight with these guys soon, ”said Hamilton, pointing to the two point guards.
“Yesterday’s qualifying was emotional for me, he said a little later at the microphone of Sky Sports. Back in the garage, we were like, wow, this is beautiful for us. We have worked so hard and having a strong race today gives me so much hope and confidence for the future. »
Asked how his back was, which made him suffer last week in Azerbaijan, Hamilton replied: “I feel very good, as if I had rejuvenated! »
Caution
The Mercedes team still sits third among the constructors, 40 points behind Ferrari and 116 behind Red Bull. She will, however, have the home crowd advantage for the next Grand Prix, which will take place at her home in England on July 3.
“We have to be careful, however, said Toto Wolff on Sunday evening. There is still so much work to do to get back to the front. We are not there yet. »
The team boss, however, said he was delighted to see Hamilton pull off a good result. “In several races, Lewis could have had better results. It wasn’t because he hurt, it was just bad luck. To see him on the positive side, on the podium today, is good to see. »