Canadian GP: Kimi Antonelli wins as George Russell retires after Mercedes battle in Montreal | F1 News

Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix as his Mercedes teammate George Russell retired with power unit problems after an epic battle between the Silver Arrows.

Antonelli became the first driver in F1 history to claim his first four wins in a row and extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 43 points.

But the two Mercedes almost came to blows in an incredible battle for the lead that lasted 31 laps until Russell’s retirement, as Antonelli and Russell took positions on several occasions at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.

Antonelli was inches away from running behind Russell early on and the pair made minor contact later, 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 because there is nothing between Russell and Antonelli,” said of Sky Sports F1 Martin Brandl.

Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen late on to take his best result in second place for Ferrari in a strong weekend for the seven-time world champion.

But Verstappen will be content with his first podium of 2026 after taking to the field in the opening hours in cold conditions that challenged the drivers.

Charles Leclerc was fourth despite a late half-spin and Ferrari moved into second place behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.

Neither McLaren driver scored points as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre gambled by starting in Intermediate, which proved to be the wrong strategy.

Norris later retired due to suspected gearbox failure while coming through the field, while Piastri made contact with Williams’ Alex Albon and was hit with a 10-second time penalty.

Isaac Hazor finished fifth despite two penalties for trying to defend against Leclerc and weaving for speeding under yellow flag conditions.

Alpine’s Franco Colapinto continued his strong form with a career-best sixth, while Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson beat Pierre Gasly to take seventh.

Williams’ Carlos Sainz finished ninth for the third time this season and Haas’ Oliver Biermann was tenth.

Britain’s Arvid Lindblad had two extra formation laps before the race which meant he could not start.

The epic Russell-Antonelli battle ended early

Russell was delivering under pressure in a big weekend for the British driver after finishing top in sprint qualifying, sprint and qualifying.

However, there was little to separate the Mercedes duo on pure pace, as Antonelli showed in the sprint when he lost out to Russell after they made little contact.

Antonelli was unhappy with Russell’s defense on Saturday and the aggressive racing continued almost from the off in the Grand Prix.

This time Antonelli was fending off Russell at the start as he got the better start – although both Mercedes were overtaken by Norris at Turn 1, although the McLaren driver pitted at the end of the second lap as his intermediates quickly heated up.

Russell overtook Antonelli on lap 6 heading into the final chicane but the Italian nearly ran into his teammate in what could have been a race-ending collision for both drivers.

Both drivers made minor mistakes at the Turn 10 hairpin in slushy conditions but stayed close, before Antonelli retook the lead on lap 22.

But, two laps later, the pair brushed wheels in the final chicane with Antonelli cutting the corner and was asked to relinquish the position, which he did a lap later.

Unfortunately, the drama ended on lap 31 when Russell retired with a power unit failure. He was visibly furious as he threw the head rest from the car, knowing it could be a defining moment in the title race.

“All of a sudden everything just stopped. I went into the corner, the engine shut off, no electronics, no proper braking. Lost some sound to be honest at the moment,” Russell said. Sky Sports F1.

“For my part, I don’t think I could have done more this weekend. I’ll be satisfied. Of course I’m pretty disappointed with what happened. What else can I do?”

Russell’s stop caused a virtual safety car, so most drivers took that opportunity to make their only pit stop of the race.

Antonelli dominated the Grand Prix but Verstappen and Hamilton pushed hard for second. Hamilton gradually closed the seven-second gap to Verstappen but it looked like the Ferrari’s lack of engine power would make it very difficult for him to overtake his rival.

Hamilton made a decisive move around the outside at Turn 1 to lead six laps and held off Verstappen, who crossed the line just half a second behind.

“A good day of racing and a really tough weekend. I felt and the team did a really amazing job,” said Hamilton. Sky Sports F1.

“For us to fight there, and for Max to fight well, I’m really grateful. And very happy.”

Next up is 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 5-7 June. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime