By: Kwame Bediako
British driver George Russell of Mercedes secured a commanding victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.228 seconds. Kimi Antonelli, also driving for Mercedes, claimed third place, finishing over a second behind the leader.
The race concluded behind a safety car after a dramatic collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on the 67th lap, which brought the race to an abrupt end. Norris admitted fault for the incident, describing his decision to attempt an inside pass as “stupid” during team radio communications.
The race’s outcome closely mirrored Saturday’s qualifying results, with Russell starting from pole position for the sixth time in his career. Verstappen, who is the reigning champion, started from second and was closely behind during the final laps.
Piastri, who entered the race leading the driver standings with 186 points, began from third on the grid. Despite the late incident, Piastri managed to finish fourth, ending his streak of eight consecutive podium finishes this season.
This victory marks Russell’s fourth career Formula 1 win, following his triumph at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2022. He also achieved wins last year in Austria and Las Vegas. Russell had previously started from pole at last year’s Canadian GP but was unable to convert it into victory, which instead went to Verstappen for the third consecutive year.
The Canadian GP showcased Russell’s consistency and skill, further establishing his presence in the sport’s top tier. The race was marred by the collision of Norris and Piastri, which not only ended Norris’s race but also led to a safety car in the closing stages.
Norris, who was fighting for position at the time, took responsibility for the mistake, acknowledging over the radio that he was “stupid” to attempt the risky maneuver. Piastri’s fourth-place finish helped him maintain his lead in the championship standings, despite the setback.
Montreal native Lance Stroll was the last of the 17 drivers to finish the race, crossing the line in 17th place. The event highlighted the intense competition and unpredictable nature of Formula 1, with strategic decisions and driver errors shaping the final results.
