Andrea Kimi Antonelli capitalised on George Russell’s retirement to win the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, strengthening his lead in the championship. The Mercedes teammates had been locked in a fierce fight at the front before Russell’s exit cleared the way for the Italian to control the remainder of the race.
Lewis Hamilton delivered a decisive overtake on Max Verstappen to secure second place, his best finish for Ferrari. Verstappen took third for Red Bull, while Charles Leclerc brought the second Ferrari home in fourth.
Isack Hadjar led the next group in fifth for Red Bull, followed by Franco Colapinto in sixth for Alpine and Liam Lawson seventh for Racing Bulls. Pierre Gasly finished eighth for Alpine, Carlos Sainz ninth for Williams, and Oliver Bearman completed the top ten for Haas.
Oscar Piastri claimed 11th for McLaren, with Nico Hulkenberg 12th and Gabtiel Bortoleto 13th for Audi. Esteban Ocon placed 14th for Haas, ahead of Lance Stroll in 15th for Aston Martin and Valtteri Bottas in 16th for Cadillac.
Five drivers failed to finish: Sergio Perez (Cadillac), Lando Norris (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Alex Albon (Williams). Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) did not start.
Red Bull’s day yielded third and fifth through Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Alpine placed both cars inside the top eight as Franco Colapinto took sixth and Pierre Gasly eighth, while Racing Bulls had a mixed outcome with Liam Lawson seventh and Arvid Lindblad a non-starter.
Williams split fortunes as Carlos Sainz took ninth and Alex Albon retired. Haas recorded Oliver Bearman in 10th and Esteban Ocon 14th, with McLaren seeing Oscar Piastri in 11th and Lando Norris among the retirements. Audi registered 12th and 13th via Nico Hulkenberg and Gabtiel Bortoleto, while Aston Martin ended with Lance Stroll 15th and Fernando Alonso out. Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas finished 16th as Sergio Perez retired.
Antonelli’s victory extends his title advantage after a high-pressure intra-team duel ended prematurely for Russell. Attention now turns to the next round, where the evolving balance between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will come under further scrutiny.
Source: motorsportweek.com