Antonelli Extends Dominant Streak in Montreal

Andrea Kimi Antonelli proved once again why he is the driver to beat this season, claiming victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Italian Mercedes star crossed the line in Montreal to record his fourth straight win from the first five races of the year. It was a masterclass in race craft, blending raw speed with tactical precision under varying track conditions.

The podium was completed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who secured second place. This marks the seven-time world champion’s second podium of the season, a solid performance despite early struggles with car feel. Behind him, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took third, ending his podium drought for the year. The top three highlighted a shifting dynamic in the championship battle, with Mercedes looking increasingly untouchable.

Tire Strategy and Early Drama

The race began with light rain, prompting McLaren to opt for intermediate tires. It was a gamble that backfired. Lando Norris, starting on the grid, made a brilliant start, overtaking both Mercedes cars on the inside to take the lead. However, the decision to stay on wet-weather rubber as the track dried quickly cost them dearly. Both McLaren drivers pitted early, with Oscar Piastri switching to mediums in the first lap and Norris following suit by lap three.

Antonelli, starting second, held firm against George Russell’s initial pressure. By lap seven, Russell launched an outside attack, but Antonelli made a slight error, locking up late and running wide. He rejoined in second, allowing Russell to take the lead temporarily. The two Mercedes drivers swapped positions in laps 12 and 13, with Russell briefly retaking the top spot before Antonelli’s superior pace and tire management allowed him to reclaim the lead permanently.

Retirements and Points Finishers

Not all went smoothly for the front runners. George Russell and Lando Norris both retired due to technical issues, a significant blow to Mercedes and McLaren’s championship hopes. Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad also had a difficult start, failing to restart his car and withdrawing after two extra warm-up laps.

Behind the podium, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in fifth. Points were also secured by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, and Haas’s Oliver Bearman. The final standings reflect a tightly contested midfield, but the headline remains clear: Antonelli’s dominance in Canada is hard to ignore.