Kimi Antonelli strengthened his grip on the 2026 Formula 1 title fight with victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, capitalising after George Russell retired mid-race. The Mercedes teammates had been embroiled in a fierce duel for the lead in Montreal when Russell pulled off on lap 30 with what appeared to be an electrical issue.
Their tussle featured multiple lead changes and renewed contact, just a day after the pair collided in the sprint. Russell showed visible frustration after stopping, throwing his headrest and striking the car as it was recovered, while Antonelli seized control at the front. Antonelli also accused Russell of pushing him off the track for the second day running.
The win extends Antonelli’s points cushion at the top of the standings, with Russell remaining second after his retirement. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are next in pursuit, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Drivers’ standings after the Canadian GP:
- 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 131 points
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 88 points
- 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 75 points
- 4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 72 points
- 5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 58 points
- 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 48 points
- 7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 43 points
- 8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 20 points
- 9. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 18 points
- 10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 16 points
- 11. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 15 points
- 12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 14 points
- 13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 6 points
- 14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 5 points
- 15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
- 16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1 point
- 17. Alex Albon (Williams) - 1 point
- 18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
- 19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points
- 20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
- 21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 0 points
- 22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points
Constructors’ standings after the Canadian GP:
- 1. Mercedes - 219 points
- 2. Ferrari - 147 points
- 3. McLaren - 106 points
- 4. Red Bull - 57 points
- 5. Alpine - 35 points
- 6. Racing Bulls - 21 points
- 7. Haas - 19 points
- 8. Williams - 7 points
- 9. Audi - 2 points
- 10. Cadillac - 0 points
- 11. Aston Martin - 0 points
Upcoming 2026 race calendar (as listed):
- Round 6 – Monaco, Circuit de Monaco – 5-7 June
- Round 7 – Spain (Barcelona), Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 12-14 June
- Round 8 – Austria, Red Bull Ring (Spielberg) – 26-28 June
- Round 9 – Great Britain (sprint weekend), Silverstone Circuit – 3-5 July
- Round 10 – Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 17-19 July
- Round 11 – Hungary, Hungaroring (Budapest) – 24-26 July
- Round 12 – Netherlands (sprint weekend), Circuit Zandvoort – 21-23 August
- Round 13 – Italy, Monza Circuit – 4-6 September
- Round 14 – Spain (Madrid), Circuito de Madring – 11-13 September
- Round 15 – Azerbaijan, Baku City Circuit – 25-27 September
- Round 16 – Singapore (sprint weekend), Marina Bay Street Circuit – 9-11
What to watch next: The championship heads to Monaco on 5-7 June, with the Mercedes intra-team dynamic under fresh scrutiny after a combative weekend in Canada. Barcelona (12-14 June) and Austria (26-28 June) follow in a packed early-summer run.
Source: independent.co.uk