George Russell returned to the top of the podium in Montreal, but the biggest shock of the Canadian Grand Prix came as McLaren’s championship hopes took a major hit with Lando Norris crashing into teammate Oscar Piastri in a late-race blunder that lit up the title fight.
What was billed as a battle between Russell and Max Verstappen quickly turned into chaos elsewhere on the grid. While Russell calmly controlled the race and earned his first win since Las Vegas, McLaren’s self-sabotage stole the spotlight. On lap 66, Norris slammed into the back of Piastri as they tussled for fourth, ending his race, and sparking a five-second penalty from the stewards.
Norris owned the mistake immediately. “All my fault. Stupid from me,” he admitted over team radio as his MCL38 sat wrecked against the wall. The crash not only handed Piastri a crucial 12-point swing but widened his championship lead to 22 points as Norris walked away from what could be a defining moment in the title chase.
While Red Bull lodged a protest over Russell’s conduct under the safety car, it did little to dampen Mercedes’ celebrations. The late neutralisation locked in a dream result, including a sensational first F1 podium for 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli. “So stressful but super happy,” the Italian grinned, after holding his nerve in a mature drive well beyond his years.
Russell was quick to credit the pole position lap that set up his Sunday success. “Probably got the victory today due to that incredible lap yesterday,” he said. “So happy to see Kimi on the podium as well.” Verstappen, meanwhile, never looked like threatening after a flat start and finished second.
Further down, Lewis Hamilton endured another frustrating outing. After hitting a groundhog and suffering floor damage, he compared his Mercedes to “dancing with someone who doesn’t have rhythm.” His sixth-place finish continues a puzzling season of underperformance.
Fernando Alonso impressed again in seventh. Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz completed the points, but it was Russell’s redemption and McLaren’s meltdown that left the Montreal crowd and the championship race, buzzing with drama.
