Kimi Antonelli is unstoppable. © APA / CLIVE MASON

"Antonelli has what it takes to be a legendary rider"

Kimi Antonelli also won the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday. It was the 19-year-old Italian's fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory. He extended his lead in the standings (43 points) – also because his closest rival and teammate, George Russell, failed to finish due to engine trouble. The international press showered Antonelli with praise.

25 May 2026

From: dpa

Canada

La Tribune: "Revenge is a dish served cold, as they say. 24 hours after being held up by his Mercedes teammate in the sprint race, Kimi Antonelli took advantage of George Russell's retirement on lap 30 to drive unchallenged to victory at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix."

Toronto Star: "The Mercedes drivers, battling for the title, engaged in a thrilling duel for over 30 laps, repeatedly exchanging the lead and coming dangerously close to each other, until disaster struck for Russell. (...) This cleared the way for Antonelli's victory ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who, with six laps to go in cold and windy conditions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, overtook Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in a thrilling duel to secure second place."

Great Britain

independent: "George Russell stood furiously at the side of the track after being forced to retire from the Canadian Grand Prix following a thrilling duel with his title rival Kimi Antonelli. (...) Up to that point, it had been an exciting battle, with the lead changing hands several times between the two competitors, with Antonelli accusing Russell of forcing him off the track for the second time in a row."

Parallels are drawn between Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. © APA/afp / ANDREJ IVANOV

Italy

Sports Gazette: "Sensational moment in lap 30 of the Canadian Grand Prix: Russell has to retire from the race due to a problem with his Mercedes. The driver climbs out of the car visibly angry, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli wins the race."

Tuttosport: "A race to forget for George Russell, who had fought his way to victory and pole position in the sprint race against a tenacious Antonelli, but whose dreams of glory were shattered by a technical problem halfway through the race. With all the consequences this entails for the overall standings."

Corriere dello Sport: "Antonelli triumphs again! After a crazy and exciting sprint race, the Grand Prix also offered a spectacle."

Spain

World sports: "Disaster for Russell in the fight for the World Championship. (...) Montreal was the scene of total chaos in Formula 1. The young Mercedes driver (Kimi Antonelli) is once again on the top step of the podium. He takes his fourth consecutive victory and is thus the first driver in history to achieve his first four wins in this category in a row."

The unluckiest man: George Russell © APA/afp / ANDREJ IVANOV

Brand: “He (Kimi Antonelli) has what it takes to be a champion, he has what it takes to be a legendary driver. He has the pace, the ability to improve throughout the weekend, and he already has that fire burning inside him that is reminiscent of other legendary drivers. Perhaps the most similar is Max Verstappen, and this Kimi is a copy of the first version of the Dutchman. Volcanic, yes. Maybe a bit over the top. But exceptionally good and ready to go further if he wins the title.”

Switzerland

Look: "A mechanical failure decides a thrilling Mercedes duel in Montreal. The Canadian Grand Prix delivers many stories. One is the tire chaos at the start, another is George Russell's mechanical failure, which decides the race in Montreal. World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli triumphs for the fourth time in a row as a result."

Netherlands

TO: "An exciting duel between the two Mercedes drivers was interrupted far too early by a defect on George Russell's car. This allowed Kimi Antonelli to extend his lead in the World Championship enormously, but Max Verstappen also benefited with his first podium finish of the year – even if he had to relinquish second place to Lewis Hamilton at the last second."

The podium with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. © ANSA / CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

The Telegraph: "Antonelli (19) has secured an excellent starting position in the fight for the world championship title with his fourth consecutive victory."

France

The Parisian: "What a performance! Young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix for the fourth time in a row in Formula 1, beating Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The 19-year-old Italian particularly benefited from his teammate George Russell's retirement due to technical problems."