Mercedes driver George Russell suffered a dramatic exit from the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix, paving the way for another win by team-mate and title rival Kimi Antonelli.
Russell was leading on lap 30 when he straightlined Turn 9 in a smoking Mercedes, having to park his car on the spot. Russell jumped out of the car in a furious rage as he not only saw a chance to win his first race since the season opener in Australia evaporate, but also saw team-mate Antonelli get a major boost in the title race.
The pair had been aggressively trading the lead over the first half of the race at Gilles Villeneuve, making a glancing blow on Lap 24 at the final chicane, with Antonelli briefly passing Russell off the track before being ordered to hand the position back.
The pair was comfortably leading from third-placed Max Verstappen, who moved up to second under the following virtual safety car period. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton held third from Isack Hadjar and Charles Leclerc, as both McLarens hit trouble early on and went a lap down.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both decided to start on intermediate tyres on a slightly damp Montreal track, but as the rain didn’t materialise they both had to make an earlier pitstop – even if Norris had made the best launch off the grid to take a lap 1 lead.
As both were dumped back into the midfield pack, Piastri clattered into the back of Williams’ Alex Albon, forcing Albon into retirement and Piastei to the pits for a new front wing. The Australian was handed a 10-second penalty.
If Antonelli ends up winning a fourth consecutive race, he would open up his championship lead to Russell to 43 points.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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