George Russell delivered Mercedes’ first victory of the 2025 season in a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix that will be remembered for the devastating collision between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve had intense wheel-to-wheel racing, but ultimately ended in heartbreak for McLaren as their championship battle took a dramatic turn. Join Supercars.com.GH as we look into this masterclass in racecraft from Russell, who capitalized on McLaren’s misfortune to claim his fourth career Grand Prix victory.
Russell’s Perfect Start
Russell launched away cleanly from pole position, immediately establishing a commanding lead over Max Verstappen as the field navigated the opening corners without major incident. The early stages revealed a fascinating strategic split across the grid, with most committing to a two-stop strategy while others attempted the ambitious one-stop approach on Montreal’s demanding circuit. Russell’s early pace advantage allowed him to control the race from the front, managing his tire degradation while keeping Verstappen at bay. The Mercedes driver showed remarkable consistency throughout his stints, never allowing the Red Bull to mount a serious challenge for the lead. Behind them, the battle for the remaining podium positions intensified as Kimi Antonelli held third ahead of the charging McLaren duo, setting up what would become a pivotal moment in the championship fight.
McLaren’s Team Collision
The race’s defining moment came in the closing stages as Piastri and Norris engaged in an increasingly feisty battle for fourth position. With both drivers on similar strategies and closing gaps throughout the field, the tension between the championship contenders reached a boiling point. Norris, desperate to close the points gap to his teammate, made an aggressive move that resulted in contact with the back of Piastri’s car. The collision sent Norris careering off track and into retirement, immediately triggering the Safety Car. Piastri managed to continue despite the contact, but the damage to both his car and the team’s momentum was evident.
Mercedes Celebrates Double Podium
The Safety Car period allowed Russell to maintain his lead and cruise to a well-deserved victory, crossing the line just 0.228 seconds ahead of Verstappen in a thrilling finish. However, the real story for Mercedes was Kimi Antonelli’s performance, with the Italian rookie claiming his first Formula 1 podium in third place. The double podium finish marked a significant milestone for Mercedes, who had struggled to match McLaren and Red Bull’s pace in the opening races of the season. Antonelli’s composed drive throughout the race, particularly under pressure from the McLaren duo, demonstrated his growing confidence and racecraft.
Join Supercars.com.GH next week as we analyze the championship implications following this dramatic Canadian Grand Prix and look ahead to the upcoming races!