Fraser MasefieldKimi Antonelli became the first driver in F1 history to win his first four consecutive grands prix after benefitting from the retirement of George Russell.
“First of all, massive commiserations to George. I feel very sorry for him as he was leading the race and was super strong,” said Antonelli on the Mercedes press release.
“We were having a great battle in that first stint and very close on pace. I am sure it would have gone right until the end of the Grand Prix, and I am disappointed we didn’t get the chance to continue that.”
Up until lap 30 of the Canadian Grand Prix, it had been Russell who was in the lead after an intriguing battle with his young Mercedes teammate.
But things suddenly went south for the Sprint Race winner and last year’s winner, his Mercedes grinding to a halt with a Power Unit issue.
It meant that Antonelli was free to extend his lead and coast home ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari and Max Verstappen who enjoyed a brilliant scrap for the podium places.
“It is of course not how we want to win but we will take it. We now get ready for the European portion of the season and six races in eight weekends leading up to shutdown,” added Antonelli.
“It will be an intense period, but we are looking forward to it.”
“Disbelief” 😢
A DNF for George Russell was a bitterly disappointing end to his Canada weekend, after thrilling battles throughout! #F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/SfmCnJffld
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2026
With rain present on the circuit, tyre choice was critical. Interestingly, defending champion Lando Norris decided to start the race on intermediate tyres and swept past both Mercedes drivers into the lead.
But with the circuit quickly drying out, the McLaren driver soon had to stop for slick tyres, leaving the Mercedes duo to fight it out for the lead.
It was a great battle, Antonelli and Russell trading places with thrilling but fair overtakes despite the Italian complaining that his teammate forced him off the track.
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Regardless, Antonelli had to give position back and that’s the way it stayed until Russell’s unfortunate retirement.
“Up until lap 30, I was thoroughly enjoying the race. I loved the battle with Kimi, and I am sure he did too,” said Russell.
“It was like going back to karting days where you are racing wheel-to-wheel, swapping the lead multiple times.
How CLOSE was that?! 🤯
Russell takes the lead but Antonelli locks up and almost collides with his team mate! 👀#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/HOHpcP36L4
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2026
“I hope everyone enjoyed watching it as much as I enjoyed being in it. I just wish we could have continued it until the end of the Grand Prix.
“It is of course a painful way to finish our Canadian Grand Prix weekend, but I will leave here satisfied that I did my best.”
With Russell’s championship hopes being dealt a blow, the same happened to defending champion Norris nine laps later as his race ended with a gearbox issue.
It meant that the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc finished fourth ahead of Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson.
Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman rounded off the points scoring finishers.
Antonelli’s latest victory means that he extends his championship lead to a significant 43 points from Russell with Leclerc 13 points behind the Englishman and Hamilton just three points behind his Ferrari teammate.
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Craig Scarborough