Kimi Antonelli receives a huge cheer. © APA / SONA MALETEROVA

Spectacular duel: Antonelli wins after Russell's exit

Kimi Antonelli also benefited from his Mercedes teammate's engine trouble in the high blood pressure duel with George Russell and significantly extended his World Championship lead with his fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory.

25 May 2026

From: dpa/det

The 19-year-old Italian once again engaged in a heated Formula 1 duel with Russell before the Silver Arrow of the Montreal sprint winner came to a stop while in the lead.

“That wasn’t the way I wanted to win,” Antonelli radioed to the pit crew. “It would have been a good fight against George.” Once out of the car, however, his joy knew no bounds. “I’ll gladly take the victory.”

Antonelli and Hamilton embrace: Both finished on the podium. © APA / MARK THOMPSON

Frustration was evident for Russell. He angrily threw his neck brace onto the track and slammed his hand on his Mercedes in frustration. "I'm speechless," said the 28-year-old Briton in the paddock, while Antonelli, after his victories in China, Japan, and Miami, also won the Canadian Grand Prix. No other driver had previously achieved four consecutive Grand Prix wins. In the standings, Antonelli extended his lead over Russell to 43 points.

Hamilton makes it onto the podium

Record world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second on Sunday at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in his Ferrari. The now 41-year-old, who secured the first of his 105 Grand Prix victories in Canada in 2007, immediately embraced his mother warmly, who was present, as she had been when he finished third in China. "To finally have found the right place here is an incredible feeling for me," said Hamilton. The Briton is on the upswing, both physically and emotionally, after a difficult first year with Ferrari.

Max Verstappen finished third. It was the Red Bull star's first podium finish this year. "I had some cool battles. It's getting more and more fun to be fighting at the front again," said the Dutchman. Charles Leclerc, the second Ferrari driver, finished fourth.