New Delhi: George Russell hands Mercedes their first win of the season in the Canadian Grand Prix, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli became the third youngest podium finisher of all time, finishing just behind the second-placed Max Verstappen. In a race where tyre temperature was critical, the two Mercedes made the right calls at the right juncture.
It was a chaotic finish from the two McLarens, who at the 67th lap were wheel to wheel. Lando Norris was taken by surprise, and with both having DRS, meant it was always going to be chaotic for the team Papaya. Norris went for a gap on the left side, which was closed by his teammate Oscar Piastri, and the front wing was clipped, meaning the race was over for him. The yellow flag was shown, and the safety car was deployed until the end of the race.
George Russell eliminated the starting threat
YES GEORGE!!! VICTORY IN CANADA 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/uqKcQERsux
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 15, 2025
Russell was in control from the start of the race despite the threat that Verstappen had posed in the grid. At the back, Antonelli managed to jump ahead of Piastri and Norris was trapped on the back. In the starting stages, Verstappen gave the Briton a hard push, but Russell soon pulled ahead, and Antonelli had enough speed to challenge Verstappen for second place before the Dutchman pitted. On the hottest day of the event in Montreal, Mercedes committed the leaders to a two-stop strategy when they brought in Russell and then Antonelli to cover Verstappen. Piastri, who was now more behind, used the same tactic.
Before finishing a brief middle stint on mediums and soaring to his disastrous race ending, Norris had begun on the hard tires on the contra-strategy and went long in the first stint, giving the impression that he would attempt a one-stopper. While Antonelli came very close to passing the Red Bull before the second service and then almost did it at the exit of the Italian’s final stop, Russell maintained the lead over Verstappen through their second stops and around a lot of lapped traffic.
Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after suffering damage early on, while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who attempted a similar tactic to Norris, finished fifth behind Piastri in the safety car line. Liam Lawson and Alex Albon were the other retirees, both of whom had engine problems, while Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, and Carlos Sainz completed the top 10.
Norris makes a blunder, Verstappen loses an opportunity
While Piastri takes home 12 points from the race, Norris’s blunder may have been his biggest blow to the championship contention, now having a 22-point gap from the top. This wasn’t McLaren’s most dominating outing, of course, and they would have to go back to the drawing board slightly in a place where little margins matter. Norris has been under scrutiny for his performance under pressure, and though the win at Monaco helped his case, it hasn’t made his place firm.
With many raising questions if Verstappen will earn his penalty point for a race ban in Canada, the Dutchman was rather quieter. Verstappen, though, had a slower start and may have avoided drama in the first corner itself.
Russell outperformed Verstappen in every stint, easily exiting DRS range after a few laps, despite Mercedes’ worries that the warmer weather would impair its tire management. Verstappen was always within a few seconds, but he never came near enough to challenge for the victory; Antonelli’s increased pressure was ultimately the decisive factor.
Montreal was always going to give Verstappen and Red Bull a unique chance on a poorer weekend for McLaren, much like what was provided at Suzuka or Imola when Verstappen achieved impressive wins. There have been slight improvements on the McLarens at the front, but not nearly enough to put them back in the running for the championship. For Ferrari, it was a decent five and sixth finish but still seemed disconnected from the track and have to put all of their thinking tank to make the car smoother.
Driver of the Day
Just a couple of months away from turning 19, Kimi Antonelli showed amazing grit whilst fighting the likes of the four-time champion Max Verstappen and always looked threatening for the Dutch driver. After a long time, it seemed that Mercedes had two drivers working in perfect symphony and may have a driver lineup and a car that could win them races and certainly pose a threat to McLaren’s bid for the Constructors’ Championship.
George Russell claims his first win of the season in the Canadian GP as Mercedes bag a double podium finish. Lando Norris suffers setback to Championship contention following a late reitrement in the race. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
