Kimi Antonelli continued his fast start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with victory at the Canadian Grand Prix in May. The No. 12 Mercedes secured its fourth win of the campaign after George Russell suffered a power unit failure, removing Antonelli’s biggest competition.
The result gives Antonelli four wins from the opening five races and a 43-point lead over Russell in the championship standings. As 2025 showed, a hot start does not guarantee the title, but the Mercedes driver holds the early advantage.
Lewis Hamilton was runner-up for Ferrari as he continues to search for a first victory with the team. Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull.
For now, Antonelli’s momentum carries on, though Monaco in a few weeks could be an opportunity for a non-Mercedes driver to stand atop the podium.
Canadian Grand Prix results (May 2026):
- No. 12 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- No. 44 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- No. 3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- No. 16 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- No. 6 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- No. 43 Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- No. 30 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- No. 10 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- No. 55 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- No. 87 Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- No. 81 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- No. 27 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
- No. 5 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
- No. 31 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- No. 18 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- No. 77 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
- No. 11 Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
- No. 1 Lando Norris (McLaren)
- No. 63 George Russell (Mercedes)
- No. 14 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- No. 23 Alexander Albon (Williams)
- No. 41 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
What to watch next: All eyes turn to Monaco in the coming weeks to see whether Antonelli can maintain his early-season form, how Russell rebounds from his setback, and which contenders can disrupt Mercedes’ run.
Source: motorsportswire.usatoday.com