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 18:03, 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.
World championship leader Antonelli 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.
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.
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.
More to follow...
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
