Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli Wins Dramatic Canadian GP After Russell Retires From Mercedes Lead Battle

Montreal, Canada, May 25, 2026: Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli delivered another statement performance by winning a dramatic and incident-packed 2026 FIA Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship after team-mate George Russell retired from the lead battle with a power unit failure.

The Canadian Grand Prix initially developed into a thrilling intra-team Mercedes duel, with Russell and Antonelli repeatedly exchanging the lead during a tense opening half of the race. The pair ran wheel-to-wheel through multiple corners and strategies, producing one of the most captivating battles of the 2026 Formula 1 season so far.

The tension peaked on Lap 24 when the Mercedes duo made slight contact at the final chicane. Antonelli briefly moved ahead after running off track but was instructed by race control to hand the position back to Russell. However, the fierce battle came to a heartbreaking end for Russell on Lap 30 when his Mercedes suddenly lost power approaching Turn 9. The Briton coasted into the run-off area before retiring from the race, visibly frustrated as he threw his headrest from the cockpit after climbing out of the car.

With Russell out, Antonelli controlled the race superbly to secure his fourth consecutive Formula 1 victory and further strengthen his championship lead to 43 points over his Mercedes team-mate.

Behind the dominant Mercedes performance, McLaren Formula 1 Team endured a disastrous afternoon after gambling on Intermediate tyres in mixed conditions. Two extra formation laps caused by problems for Arvid Lindblad added uncertainty to tyre strategy, but the decision backfired almost immediately as both McLaren drivers were forced into early pit stops for slick tyres.

Oscar Piastri saw his race unravel further after colliding with Alexander Albon at the hairpin, forcing the Williams driver into retirement. Piastri required a front wing change and later received a 10-second penalty, eventually finishing outside the points in 11th place.

Team-mate Lando Norris briefly led the race but later retired on Lap 40 with a suspected gearbox issue, triggering a Virtual Safety Car period that allowed the leaders to switch tyre compounds.

Max Verstappen recovered from fifth on the grid to run second for much of the race, but the reigning world champion struggled with tyre warm-up in the closing laps. That opened the door for Lewis Hamilton, who mounted a sustained late-race charge in his Ferrari.

Hamilton eventually completed a brilliant overtake around the outside of Turn 1 at the start of Lap 62 to snatch second place from Verstappen. The seven-time world champion crossed the line 10.768 seconds behind Antonelli, while Verstappen completed the podium to secure both his and Red Bull’s first podium finish of the 2026 season.

Charles Leclerc finished fourth after a late battle with Isack Hadjar. Hadjar received a 10-second penalty for moving under braking and was later handed a stop-and-go penalty for ignoring yellow flags, but still managed to retain fifth place thanks to a sizeable advantage over the midfield runners.

Franco Colapinto took sixth for Alpine ahead of Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman, who claimed the final point in 10th.

2026 FIA Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix – Full Race Results