The Canadian Grand Prix delivered high drama as Kimi Antonelli secured his fourth consecutive victory, further extending his lead in the championship, while Lando Norris’s day ended prematurely with a retirement.
Mercedes teammates George Russell and Antonelli were locked in a fierce battle from the outset, swapping the lead multiple times during an intense opening 30 laps. The rivalry culminated in another on-track collision, just a day after their clash in Saturday’s sprint race. Racing ahead, Antonelli capitalized on Russell’s electrical failure to solidify his championship advantage.
Russell’s retirement left him frustrated trackside as he absorbed the setback that now leaves him trailing Antonelli by 43 points in the title race. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton delivered his strongest performance yet for Ferrari, finishing in second place after a compelling duel with Max Verstappen, who claimed his first podium of the season in third.
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McLaren endured a difficult afternoon as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled. Norris initially impressed by starting on intermediate tyres alongside Piastri, who both started on the third and fourth grid positions, while the rest of the field opted for soft slicks. Norris surged into the early lead, exploiting the tyre advantage briefly, but both drivers were forced to pit early as the track dried. Norris’s race ended prematurely on lap 40 due to a reported reliability issue, while Piastri finished a distant 11th.
The tension between Mercedes teammates spilled over following the sprint race where Antonelli accused Russell of an aggressive move that pushed him off track. Despite team efforts to manage their rivalry and allow them to race freely, on Sunday their intense competition continued.
Weather conditions added unpredictability, with the FIA declaring rain hazards before the race, although only a light drizzle appeared at the start. McLaren’s tyre gamble initially paid off but failed to sustain as the race progressed on the drying circuit.
On-track skirmishes between Russell and Antonelli featured multiple incidents, including side-by-side battles and wheel-to-wheel contact that led to Antonelli cutting the chicane and being ordered to return the place. The Italian driver contested this, arguing he was unfairly pushed off.
Ultimately, Russell’s hopes were dashed after a mechanical failure caused him to end his race prematurely. With Norris also out and Piastri lagging behind, McLaren had a frustrating afternoon amid Mercedes and Ferrari’s tighter duel for supremacy.
Hamilton’s late-race charge saw him overtake Verstappen in the final stages, securing second place and marking a significant result for Ferrari in the Canadian heat.