Russell Triumphs in Montreal as McLarens Collide in Drama-Fueled Finale
George Russell claimed Mercedes' first win of the 2025 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, turning his pole position into a flawless wire-to-wire victory. Behind him, Max Verstappen secured second, while teenage rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli took his maiden podium in third. However, the biggest drama unfolded behind them, as McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided three laps from the finish while fighting for fourth place—ending Norris's race and allowing Piastri to limp home under safety car to claim fourth.
Pole to Podium: Russell’s Perfect Performance
Russell converted his first pole of the year into a dominant performance. He launched cleanly off the line, maintained control throughout the race’s key phases, and managed tire degradation impeccably. A late safety car, triggered by the Norris–Piastri crash, froze the field and deprived Verstappen of a final lap attack. Still, Russell was never under serious pressure and crossed the finish line to seal a much-needed victory for both him and Mercedes.
Verstappen Rebounds to Salvage P2
Max Verstappen, chasing a fourth consecutive Canadian win, drives exceptionally well throughout but couldn't quite match Russell's consistent pace. Starting second, he shadowed the Mercedes until the closing safety car neutralized any chance of a last-minute challenge, with the race finishing under it. Nevertheless, Verstappen secured second place, ensuring valuable points as the championship battle intensifies.
Antonelli Makes Historic Podium
Kimi Antonelli put in a standout performance by climbing from fourth on the grid to take his first-ever podium in Formula 1. The 18-year-old’s composed drive—defensive when needed and aggressive when available—marked him as the third youngest podium finisher in F1 history, further solidifying his status as a rising star.
McLaren Meltdown: Collision Undermines Championship Charge
With Piastri and Norris running fourth and fifth late in the race, the stage was set for McLaren to continue their domination. But a late-race clash changed everything: Norris attempted an overtake on Piastri down the straight but clipped the rear of his teammate, sending him into the wall. Norris retired, and Piastri continued on. The safety car came out and the race ended behind it, leaving Piastri fourth—still scoring enough to extend his championship lead to 198 points, 22 ahead of Norris with Verstappen third at 155.
Norris immediately accepted responsibility over the radio: “Sorry… all my fault.”
Midfield Battles and Strong Drives
Charles Leclerc recovered to fifth despite a sluggish strategy and setup issues. Teammate Lewis Hamilton also made gains to finish sixth, overcoming early damage from hitting debris on track. Fernando Alonso took seventh for Aston Martin, while Sauber's Nico Hülkenberg and Haas’s Esteban Ocon secured eighth and ninth respectively, both benefiting from strong race pace and strategic calls.
Carlos Sainz rounded out the top ten, securing a point for Williams amid a challenging weekend but capitalizing on others’ misfortune.
Championship Implications
Oscar Piastri’s fourth place, combined with Norris’s retirement and Verstappen's second, sees McLaren maintain their lead in both standings. Piastri tops the Drivers’ table with 198 points, ahead of Norris (176) and Verstappen (155). In the Constructors' Championship, McLaren lead on 374 points, with Mercedes second (199), Ferrari third (183), and Red Bull fourth (162).
What’s Next
After the drama in Montreal, the Formula 1 campaign pivots to the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Expect a higher-speed, high-downforce challenge as teams look to reset and regroup. McLaren ride high on momentum, but Red Bull and Mercedes will be keen to re-establish pace ahead of the crucial European double-header.