George Russell wins Canadian Grand Prix in a dramatic turn of events at Montreal. The Mercedes driver led a masterclass in strategy and pace, finishing just ahead of Max Verstappen and rookie Kimi Antonelli. The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was anything but routine, with multiple lead changes, bold overtakes, and a dramatic late-race clash between the two McLaren drivers.
From the start, Russell held onto his pole position advantage, fending off Verstappen through the opening laps. Antonelli surged into third with a clean move on Piastri, setting up what would become a standout race for the young Italian.
Verstappen was the first of the leaders to pit early, complaining of tyre degradation. Russell covered the move the very next lap and managed to maintain track position. Antonelli and Piastri followed shortly, as strategies began to diverge among the frontrunners.
Lando Norris, who started on the harder compound, temporarily led after his rivals pitted. Encouraged to deliver a standout performance, Norris showed strong pace and eventually slotted into a competitive position after his first stop. Leclerc, on a similar strategy, also enjoyed a brief stint near the front.
As tyre life began to fade again, Verstappen made his second stop, followed quickly by Antonelli and Russell. The timing proved critical as all three rejoined within seconds of each other, with Russell managing to retain an edge. Piastri followed soon after, rejoining just behind Norris and Leclerc.
With 17 laps to go, Russell reclaimed the lead, ahead of Verstappen and Antonelli. Behind them, the two McLaren drivers found themselves locked in an intense battle. Norris made a late move at the hairpin, then lined up a DRS-assisted attempt down the pit straight.
That final lunge didn’t go to plan. With barely a car’s width available, Norris collided with Piastri’s rear end and slammed into the wall. His race ended on the spot, triggering a Safety Car with just a few laps to go.
The race never resumed under green flag conditions. The top three—Russell, Verstappen, and Antonelli—cruised home under caution. It was a breakthrough result for Antonelli, who secured his first Formula 1 podium finish.
Verstappen, with yet another consistent result, claimed his 117th career podium. Russell, however, stole the spotlight, showing maturity, composure, and outright speed when it mattered most.
Piastri recovered to finish fourth, while Leclerc and Hamilton ensured a double-points finish for Ferrari. Alonso, Hülkenberg, Ocon, and Sainz rounded out the top ten in a race where strategy and timing played a massive role.
Summary
George Russell’s win in Canada wasn’t just about pole and pace—it was about strategy, timing, and composure under pressure. Verstappen kept him honest, while Antonelli proved his rising star status with a maiden podium. And as for McLaren, internal rivalry cost them dearly, reshaping the championship narrative.
| Race Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos | Driver | Car |
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team |
| 10 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 11 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing |
| 13 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 14 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber |
| 15 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 16 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 18 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 19 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 20 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
Disclaimer: The results and events described in this article are based on the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and may be subject to change due to official rulings or revisions.
