Lewis Hamilton sets unwanted F1 record - and closes in on another

Lewis Hamilton has set an unfortunate F1 record in the Canadian Grand Prix, and is set to equal another. 

Hamilton finished sixth in Montreal for his worst-ever result at the track where he has won seven times, and once again, was off the podium for Ferrari.

The Briton is yet to score a podium for the Scuderia in a grand prix, and now, for the first time in his 19th F1 season, has failed to reach the rostrum within the first 10 grands prix of a season. 

In 2009, Hamilton had to wait until the 10th race of the season in Hungary to score his first podium as the reigning world champion, incidentally, a win. 

Failing to finish in the top three in Montreal now means his run without a podium from the start of the season will reach 11 races at a minimum, with the Austrian Grand Prix next up. 

It has been 12 races total for Hamilton since he last stood on an F1 grand prix podium, taking second place in Las Vegas for Mercedes in 2024, as he finished 12th and then fourth in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to round out the season. 

His all-time worst run without a podium is 13 races, which was set between the 2023 Sao Paulo and 2024 Spanish GPs, where he took third place.

It does mean that if he fails to score a podium in Austria, where Ferrari is optimistic, it could perform well, Hamilton could break his own record for longest podium drought at the British Grand Prix, which would be 14 races since Las Vegas.

He holds the record for most consecutive podiums at a home grand prix, currently 11, having been on the rostrum every season since 2014.

In a small crumb of comfort, Hamilton does, for now, retain the outright record for most consecutive podiums for McLaren with nine.

Oscar Piastri had a chance to equal that during the Canadian GP, but finished fourth, meaning he is stuck level with Ayrton Senna on eight with Hamilton one ahead.