George Russell claims Victory at dramatic Canadian Grand Prix as late Norris crash shakes up the grid
MONTREAL — George Russell Wins Turbulent Canadian Grand Prix
George Russell emerged victorious at a turbulent Canadian Grand Prix, a race that delivered high-stakes drama late on when McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided in a shocking crash.
Pre-Race Expectations and Late Drama
Pre-race discussions had centered on a potential showdown between Russell and Max Verstappen. Verstappen, who had bristled at media focus on his qualifying penalty points, never materialized as a factor in the final laps. Instead, the defining moment belonged to the McLaren camp, as controversy erupted following a Lap 66 incident. The collision, which is currently under investigation by race stewards for "alleged causing a collision," ultimately overshadowed Russell's victory.
Norris-Piastri Collision
The Norris-Piastri incident occurred as the two McLaren drivers were battling for fourth position. Norris, who had closed up on Piastri down the main straight, appeared to carry too much speed into the kink. Drifting wide, he misjudged the gap with Piastri’s car, resulting in his McLaren slamming into the rear of his teammate's vehicle and careening into the barriers. While Piastri limped to the finish with only minor damage, Norris was forced to retire on the spot.
"Sorry," Norris immediately said over the team radio after the crash. "All my bad. All my fault. Stupid from me." It was an uncharacteristically blunt admission from the young Briton, who took full responsibility for the incident.
The crash brought out the safety car, under which the race ultimately finished, cementing Russell’s commanding win and disrupting the final laps of what had been an electrifying contest.
Russell’s Triumph and Antonelli’s Milestone
While Russell savored his first win of the season — and the first since his triumph last year in Las Vegas — the Mercedes team also celebrated a career-defining moment for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The teenage sensation secured his first-ever Formula 1 podium, finishing third, and in doing so, became the third-youngest driver to land on the podium in the sport's history, behind only Verstappen and Lance Stroll.
"It was so stressful but [I'm] super happy," Antonelli shared following the race. "I had a good start, managed to jump into P3, and just stayed up there at the front."
Russell was effusive about the team’s performance. "It's amazing to be back on the top step," he said. "The last time for us was back in Vegas. I felt last year was a victory lost, and probably got the victory today due to the incredible pole lap yesterday. Obviously, so happy to see Kimi on the podium as well."
Piastri Extends Championship Lead
Despite the crash, Piastri extended his championship lead to 22 points by recovering to finish fourth. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc followed up with a steady performance in fifth, while Lewis Hamilton once again found himself frustrated by his car's lack of competitiveness.
"I'm nowhere in this race, mate," Hamilton complained over the radio, later admitting confusion about the performance issues plaguing his Mercedes. His fortunes worsened when his car collided with a wandering groundhog, which caused floor damage and further setbacks.
The Rest of the Top Ten
Fernando Alonso continued his late-season resurgence, finishing seventh and demonstrating Aston Martin’s upward trend. Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line in eighth, continuing a strong run for Sauber, while Esteban Ocon (Haas) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) rounded out the points-paying positions in ninth and tenth, respectively.
Ripple Effects and Upcoming Challenges
As the dust settles on a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 paddock will turn its focus to the next race, where the ripple effects of the Norris-Piastri crash are likely to dominate discussions. With Russell back on the top step, Mercedes will hope to build momentum, while McLaren faces questions over internal team harmony and championship contention.
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