By Joe Morin | May 25, 2026 | @joemorinthef1guy on X
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve delivered one of the most dramatic races of the Formula One season so far. Kimi Antonelli, a teenage sensation for Mercedes, stormed to victory after teammate George Russell suffered a devastating retirement while leading the race. The result further tightened Mercedes’ grip on the championship and cemented Antonelli as the driver everyone is chasing in 2026.
Russell had looked set to take a crucial win after starting from pole position and engaging in a fierce battle with Antonelli through the opening stages. The two Mercedes drivers traded positions in a breathtaking display of wheel-to-wheel racing that had the Montreal crowd on its feet. However, disaster struck on Lap 30 when Russell’s car suddenly lost power due to a suspected battery failure, forcing him to retire from the lead and handing Antonelli a golden opportunity.
Antonelli kept his composure flawlessly after inheriting the lead, controlling the remainder of the race despite changing weather conditions and several virtual safety car interruptions. The victory marked his fourth consecutive Grand Prix
win, a stunning run that has propelled the 19-year-old deeper into championship contention and underscored Mercedes’ dominant pace in the early part of the season.
Behind him, Lewis Hamilton produced his strongest Ferrari performance yet, finishing second after a brilliant late-race move on Max Verstappen. Hamilton’s aggressive overtake into Turn 1 showcased flashes of the seven-time champion at his absolute best and offered Ferrari a much-needed morale boost. Verstappen completed the podium in third, giving Red Bull its first podium finish of the 2026 campaign.
The race was also one to forget for McLaren. A risky decision to start both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on intermediate tyres backfired almost immediately as conditions improved before lights out. Norris later retired with gearbox trouble, while Piastri’s afternoon worsened after a collision and a time penalty dropped him out of the points. It was a costly blow in both championships.
Top 10 Finishers – 2026 Canadian Grand Prix
1. Kimi Antonelli
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Max Verstappen
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Franco Colapinto
7. Liam Lawson
8. Pierre Gasly
9. Carlos Sainz
10. Oliver Bearman
The Canadian Grand Prix may ultimately be remembered as the race where Antonelli fully established himself as the championship favourite. For Russell, it was a heartbreaking experience; for Formula One fans, it was a reminder that Montreal rarely disappoints.
