Canadian Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli Wins Fourth in a Row as Russell Retires

MONTREAL, May 25. Formula One's Canadian Grand Prix proved utterly dramatic as Mercedes' young sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed a superb victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It was his fourth race win in a row, extending his lead in the drivers' championship to 43 points. Lewis Hamilton finished second and Max Verstappen third. In front of thousands of fans at Montreal's historic track, the race was packed with thrills and drama right to the final lap.

Russell vs Antonelli: a Mercedes civil war

The biggest attraction in the early stages was the thrilling battle for the lead between the two Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Antonelli. The pair swapped positions several times amid a few tense moments that set pulses racing on the pit wall. But on lap 30 Russell's power unit failed and he retired while leading. From there, Antonelli controlled the race from the front and took the win without a mistake. Russell's retirement was a blow for the team, as a potential double podium slipped away.

Hamilton's best with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton produced his best Grand Prix result since joining Ferrari. After a long, lively duel with Max Verstappen he secured second place. The result was a relief for both Ferrari and Hamilton, who had been searching for pace early in the season. The drive by the seven-time world champion was a showcase of his experience and never-say-die attitude. For Ferrari's supporters, the famed "tifosi," the podium was welcome news after a long wait.

Verstappen's first podium

Reigning champion Max Verstappen claimed his first podium of the season for Red Bull. His late-race scrap with Hamilton was a memorable feature of the day, as two greats gave each other no quarter. While third was respectable given Red Bull's current form, it is clear they have plenty of work to do to match Mercedes' pace. Red Bull, dominant in recent years, look to be struggling this season.

Antonelli: Formula One's new star

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is proving the standout discovery of the season. Since his maiden career win in China, the young Italian has impressed relentlessly, and with four straight victories he is now a leading title contender. His maturity, speed and composure under pressure have stunned the paddock, and many experts already tip him as a future world champion. When Mercedes gambled on the young driver after the departure of the legendary Hamilton, many raised doubts—but Antonelli has proved every one of them wrong with his performances.

The challenge of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is famed for its fast chicanes, long straights and the "Wall of Champions," where the smallest error can end a race. On this technical track, Antonelli's fearless yet controlled driving underlined his maturity. Tyre management and well-timed pit stops demonstrated Mercedes' strategic superiority. The circuit, named after the great Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, is considered one of the most popular races on the Formula One calendar, offering plenty of overtaking opportunities.

What's next

With a 43-point lead, Antonelli now heads the championship, but the season is long and Mercedes reliability—as Russell's retirement showed—remains a concern. Hamilton's revival at Ferrari and Verstappen's first podium will only make the coming races more compelling. The next stop is the Monaco Grand Prix, where all eyes will be on whether Antonelli can maintain his winning streak. If the young Italian keeps driving like this, he could become one of the youngest world champions in Formula One history—a prospect that has captured the attention of the entire sporting world.

The wider championship picture

The Canadian Grand Prix also reshaped the broader title fight. Mercedes' resurgence, powered by Antonelli's four straight wins, has reasserted the team as the benchmark of the grid after years in which Red Bull dominated. Yet Russell's power-unit failure was a reminder that reliability could still decide the championship, and the team will be anxious to resolve it. Ferrari, buoyed by Hamilton's strongest weekend with the Scuderia, will hope this marks a turning point in their season. Red Bull, by contrast, face searching questions about how to recover their competitive edge. With a long calendar ahead spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas, every race now carries heightened significance, and the battle between youth and experience at the front promises to be one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season.