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George Russell claimed his first win of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, leading from pole to chequered flag in a race that ended under safety car conditions following a dramatic collision between McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Starting from pole, Russell got a clean launch and maintained the lead ahead of Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver managed the race strategically, building a solid buffer that allowed him to cover Verstappen's pit stops. "It was all under control," he said after crossing the line for his fourth career Grand Prix win and Mercedes' first victory of the season.
While Russell stayed in control at the front, drama unfolded behind him. Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive performance, taking third after overtaking Piastri early in the race and then fending off the Australian to secure his maiden F1 podium. "Incredible feeling," Antonelli said. "The team gave me a great car today."
Piastri's afternoon turned chaotic when Norris, having recovered from a poor qualifying session, caught up in the closing stages. On lap 67, the pair went side-by-side down the pit straight. Norris attempted to dive down the inside into a tightening gap and clipped the rear of Piastri's car before slamming into the pit wall. The Briton immediately admitted fault over team radio, saying, "It was all on me."
The crash brought out the Safety Car and ended Norris's race. Piastri managed to continue and finished fourth, extending his lead in the drivers' championship to 22 points over Norris.
Ferrari had a difficult outing. Charles Leclerc finished fifth after voicing frustration with the team's strategy, saying over the radio, "I don't understand this choice," as Ferrari opted for a two-stop plan against his wishes. Lewis Hamilton, who reportedly hit a groundhog and suffered floor damage, ended up sixth after a promising qualifying.
Further down the order, Fernando Alonso claimed seventh for Aston Martin, with Nico Hulkenberg in eighth. Esteban Ocon scored points in Haas' 200th race, finishing ninth, while Carlos Sainz salvaged a point for Williams in tenth.
Three drivers failed to finish: Norris, Liam Lawson, and Alex Albon, the latter retiring due to a Mercedes power unit issue. The championship now heads to Austria, where Piastri will look to defend his lead at the Red Bull Ring.
