Canadian GP Sprint: George Russell wins as Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli left fuming after going off track in battle
George Russell held off Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli to win Montreal Sprint; Antonelli furious after going off track in Mercedes battle with Russell; watch Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying later on Saturday at 9pm on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event, with build-up from 8pm
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:46, UK
George Russell claimed victory in a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix Sprint after coming out on top of a controversial battle with his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Pole-sitter Russell led world championship leader Antonelli in the early stages before the pair almost made contact as they battled for position at the start of lap six.
Antonelli, who has claimed the first three race victories of his career in succession to establish a surprise championship lead, felt he was forced off track by Russell as he tried to go around the outside of his team-mate at Turn 1, with the Italian having to bail out on his way into Turn 2.
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Antonelli, appearing to suffer from a loss of composure as he raged over team radio, then went off track again later in the lap and lost second to McLaren's Lando Norris.
The trio were then very closely matched for the remainder of the 23-lap contest, but ultimately remained in the same order, with Antonelli going off track again at the start of the final lap as he made one last attempt at passing the McLaren.
Russell's victory sees him gain two points on Antonelli, reducing the 19-year-old's lead at the top of the drivers' standings to 18 points going into Sunday's Grand Prix in Montreal, for which qualifying follows later on Saturday.
"It was a good, hard battle," Russell said. "Obviously I defended into Turn 1 and you never get overtaken around the outside of that corner, so I knew it was kind of pretty safe, but kudos to Kimi for giving it a go, and I respect that, and obviously, came out unscathed.
"I'm glad that we're both sat here now. It could have been something different, but it wasn't and that's how racing should be."
Antonelli was told off on at least two separate occasions by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff over team radio, as the teenager argued both during and at the end of the Sprint that Russell had raced unreasonably.
Having appeared to calm down as he spoke in the post-race press conference, Antonelli said: "We do meetings before races, and that's what we say in the room. Then, of course, we race to win, and we try to do our best to defend our opposition.
"Probably I understood the significance of that meeting a bit differently, but, just obviously I need to recheck.
"Emotions were very high in the moment, and obviously I was very annoyed, but I just need to recheck, and for sure we're going to talk about it, and we're going to clarify on that."
Oscar Piastri completed an encouraging display for McLaren by reclaiming fourth from Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, having been overtaken by the Ferrari on the opening lap.
Hamilton lost a further position to his team-mate Charles Leclerc in the aftermath of being passed by Piastri, and also faces a post-race investigation for leaving the track and potentially gaining an advantage.
Max Verstappen was seventh for Red Bull, while British rookie Arvid Lindblad continued a strong start to his rookie campaign by taking the final point for Racing Bulls.
Sky Sports F1's Canadian GP schedule
Saturday May 23
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up*
9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday May 24
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
12am: Ted's Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday's race at 9pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
