George Russell delivered victory in the Sprint at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris after an intense early fight that also featured Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. The result came after a combative opening phase that shaped the order.
Russell and Antonelli went wheel-to-wheel at the start, but the Italian’s challenge was blunted by a Turn 1 moment that cost him momentum. Norris seized the opening to split the Mercedes drivers and pursued Russell to the flag.
Russell crossed the line first, with Norris 1.272s behind and Antonelli completing the podium a further 0.571s back. The trio broke clear in the opening phase before the field settled into a rhythm.
Oscar Piastri led the chase in fourth for McLaren, 9.797s adrift, narrowly ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at +9.929s. Lewis Hamilton, who made contact with the Wall of Champions but continued, placed sixth for Ferrari at +10.545s.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ended seventh, 15.935s off the winner. Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad scored eighth at +29.710s, with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto ninth at +31.621s and Williams’ Carlos Sainz completing the top ten at +36.793s.
On a day of contrasting fortunes for the leading outfits, Mercedes captured first and third, McLaren locked in second and fourth, and Ferrari followed with fifth and sixth. Red Bull’s leading car was seventh, while Racing Bulls, Alpine and Williams rounded out the top 10.
Sergio Perez took 11th for Cadillac, 61.344s in arrears, just ahead of Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson at +61.814s. Audi teammates Gabriel Bortoleto (+64.209s) and Nico Hulkenberg (+70.402s) followed in 13th and 14th, with Haas’ Esteban Ocon 15th at +72.158s.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll headed a group that finished one lap down in 16th, followed by Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas and Haas’s Oliver Bearman. Williams’ Alex Albon, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar also ended a lap adrift in 19th, 20th and 21st respectively.
Fernando Alonso retired for Aston Martin, the only non-finisher among the 22 runners. He was classified as the sole retirement.
The Sprint underlined a tight fight at the front between Mercedes and McLaren, while several heavy hitters endured a more subdued run. Teams will now turn their attention to preparations for the Grand Prix.
What to watch next: how Russell and Mercedes convert their Sprint pace over the full race distance, whether Norris and McLaren can overturn the balance, and if Red Bull can rebound in the main event.
Source: motorsportweek.com