Canada
RACE REPORT
George Russell has clinched Mercedes’ first victory of the season in the Canadian Grand Prix, a race that ended in dramatic style after a collision between McLaren team mates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris that saw the latter crash out.
It had been a strong start from pole position for Russell, the Briton launching away cleanly to hold the lead from Max Verstappen. What followed was a race of different strategies across the pack, with some opting for a two-stop plan while others tried to nurse their tyres on a one-stop.
Most of the frontrunners executed a two-stop strategy, setting up for a thrilling finale as the gaps amongst the top five cars became increasingly close in the closing stages. While Russell was leading from Verstappen, Piastri was trying to catch Kimi Antonelli for third – but the Australian also had Norris hot on his tail.
The McLaren pair then engaged in a feisty battle and contact occurred between them after Norris hit the back of Piastri’s car, resulting in Norris parking up at the side of the track. The Briton went on to apologise for the incident over the radio.
With the Safety Car being deployed as Norris’ stricken car was recovered, Russell crossed the line to seal his fourth career Grand Prix victory while Verstappen followed in second. There were also double celebrations at Mercedes as Antonelli claimed third, marking the Italian’s debut F1 podium.
Piastri managed to hold onto fourth, the Australian having pitted under the Safety Car, while Charles Leclerc took fifth for Ferrari ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, added to his points tally by claiming seventh for Aston Martin, while Nico Hulkenberg bolstered Kick Sauber’s total with a solid eighth.
Esteban Ocon was ninth in Haas’ 200th Grand Prix, while Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10 for Williams after a tricky day for the team. Haas’ Ollie Bearman just missed out on points in P11, while Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda recovered from P18 to a final result of P12.
Franco Colapinto was 13th for Alpine, ahead of Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto in 14th and the other Alpine of Pierre Gasly in 15th. Isack Hadjar ended the race down in 16th for Racing Bulls, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll endured a tough home race as the final classified runner in 17th.
Norris was one of three drivers not to reach the chequered flag following his aforementioned crash, and subsequently received a five-second post-race time penalty for the collision.
Liam Lawson earlier recorded a DNF after seemingly experiencing an issue with his Racing Bulls machine, and Alex Albon retired from the running, having suffered a power unit problem on his Williams throughout the race.
WINNER'S WORDS
“It’s amazing to be back on the top step. Obviously the last time for us was back in Vegas. I thought last year for us was a victory lost, and then obviously we got the victory today, probably due to the incredible pole lap yesterday. So happy to see Kimi on the podium as well, so it’s an amazing day for the team – thanks to everybody back at the factory who’s been working so hard to get us back fighting for victories. It feels good."
George
RUSSELL
