Canadian GP: Kimi Antonelli wins as George Russell retires after epic Mercedes battle in Montreal
Kimi Antonelli won his fourth race in a row after an exciting fight with George Russell, until the latter retired due to a reliability problem; Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen late on to claim his best result since joining Ferrari in second place
Monday 25 May 2026 00:02, UK
Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix as his Mercedes team-mate George Russell retired due to a power unit issue after an epic battle between the Silver Arrows.
Antonelli becomes the first driver in F1 history to claim his first four wins consecutively and extends his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 43 points.
But the two Mercedes almost came to blows during an incredible fight for the lead that lasted 31 laps until Russell's retirement, as Antonelli and Russell traded positions on several occasions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
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Antonelli was inches from running into the back of Russell early on and the pair later made minor contact, but they avoided any damage in one of the most exciting lead battles in recent F1 memory.
"We are in for a bit of a classic season as there is nothing between Russell and Antonelli," said Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle.
Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen late on to take his best result for Ferrari in second on a strong weekend for the seven-time world champion.
But, Verstappen will be satisfied with his first podium of 2026 after making up ground in the opening stint in cold conditions which challenged the drivers.
Charles Leclerc was fourth despite a late half-spin with Ferrari moving ahead of McLaren into second in the Constructors' Championship.
Neither McLaren driver scored points as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri gambled by starting on the intermediates, which proved to be the incorrect strategy.
Norris later retired due to a suspected gearbox failure when coming through the field, while Piastri had contact with Williams' Alex Albon and was hit with a 10-second time penalty
Isack Hadjar held onto fifth despite two penalties for weaving as he tried to defend from Leclerc and for speeding under yellow flag conditions.
Alpine's Franco Colapinto continued his strong form with a career-best sixth, with Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson fending off Pierre Gasly to take seventh.
Williams' Carlos Sainz finished ninth for the third time this season and Haas' Oliver Bearman was 10th.
Two extra formation laps took place before the race due to Britain's Arvid Lindblad suffering an issue which meant he could not take the start.
Epic Russell-Antonelli battle ended early
Russell had been delivering under pressure on a big weekend for the British driver after taking top spot in Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint and Qualifying.
However, there was very little to separate the Mercedes duo on pure pace, as Antonelli showed in the Sprint when he lost out to Russell after they made minor contact.
Antonelli was unhappy with Russell's defence on Saturday and the aggressive racing continued into the Grand Prix itself almost from the off.
This time it was Antonelli defending from Russell initially as he got the better start - although both Mercedes were overtaken down to Turn 1 by Norris, although the McLaren driver pitted at the end of the second lap as his intermediates quickly overheated.
Russell overtook Antonelli on Lap 6 going into the final chicane but the Italian nearly ran into the back of his team-mate in what would have been a race-ending collision for both drivers.
Both drivers made minor mistakes at the Turn 10 hairpin in gusty conditions but remained close, before Antonelli took the lead again on Lap 22.
But, two laps later, the pair brushed wheels at the final chicane with Antonelli cutting the corner and was told to give up the position, which he did later in the lap.
Unfortunately, the drama came to an end on Lap 31 when Russell grounded to a halt due to a power unit failure. He was visibly furious as he threw his head rest out of the car, knowing it could be a significant moment in the title race.
"Everything just turned off all of a sudden. I went into the corner, the engine stopped, no electronics, no proper braking. A bit lost for words to be honest right now," Russell told Sky Sports F1.
"From my side, I don't feel like there was anything more I could have done this weekend. I will leave satisfied. Of course I'm pretty damn frustrated with what happened. What more can I do?"
Russell's stoppage caused a Virtual Safety Car, so most drivers took that opportunity to make their only pit stop of the race.
Antonelli went on to dominate the Grand Prix but Verstappen and Hamilton were pushing hard for second. Hamilton slowly closed down a seven-second deficit to Verstappen but it looked like a lack of power from the Ferrari engine would make it too difficult for him to overtake his rival.
Hamilton went for it with six laps to go with a decisive move around the outside into Turn 1 and fended off Verstappen, who crossed the line only half a second behind.
"A good day of racing and a really solid weekend. I have felt on the up and the team have done a really amazing job," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
"For us to be up there battling, and also go have a good battle with Max, I am really grateful. And so happy."
Next up is the start of Formula 1's European summer swing, with the Monaco Grand Prix the first of six races in eight weeks. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 from June 5-7. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
