F1 2026 Canada GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton in practice before sprint qualifying in Montreal – UK Times

For all the celebratory messages of jubilation emanating from the never-ending group of high-profile Arsenal supporters this week – from Sir Keir Starmer and Hugh Lawrie to Piers Morgan and Jess Glynne – Lewis Hamilton’s repost on Instagram was altogether more understated. “COYG,” the 41-year-old said, the common abbreviation for “Come on you Gunners.”

An Arsenal fan since he was five, Hamilton’s football fandom hit the realms of public discourse again four years ago, when he was part of a group of investors which, ultimately, failed to buy Chelsea. Many onlookers seemed stunned, not least Hamilton’s fierce rival Max Verstappen. “I am a PSV fan and I would never buy Ajax,” the Dutchman quipped, before adding: “I thought he was an Arsenal fan? And if you are an Arsenal fan going for Chelsea, that is quite interesting.”

Alas, it never materialised. Hamilton has also dipped his toes in the world of NFL, joining the Denver Broncos ownership group in 2022 after missing out on the Chelsea gig. And the Briton, seven times a champion of the world but only twice a grand prix race winner in the last four years and counting, would be wise to take a leaf out of as many sports as possible in his search for one final rebirth at the top of Formula 1.

Kimi Antonelli has a 20-point lead on George Russell heading into round five:

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 100 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 80 points

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 59 points

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 51 points

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 51 points

6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 43 points

7. Max Verstappen Red Bull) – 26 points

8. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 17 points

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 16 points

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 10 points

• Free practice 1: 5:30pm
• Sprint qualifying: 9:30pm

• Sprint race: 5pm
• Qualifying: 9pm

Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive start to the campaign with his third consecutive victory last time out in Miami. The Italian 19-year-old now has a 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who is eyeing a return to form at a track he won at last year.

McLaren took a big step in Miami, with reigning world champion Lando Norris finishing second and teammate Oscar Piastri in third, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified on the front row in an improved car.

It was a trickier weekend for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc punished with post-race penalties and Lewis Hamilton only finishing sixth. Hamilton is a seven-time winner around the Montreal street circuit and won his first-ever F1 race here back in 2007.