George Russell secured a hard-fought victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, marking Mercedes' first win of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The race, held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, was filled with drama, strategic battles, and a controversial collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the closing stages.
Russell started from pole position and managed to fend off consistent pressure from Red Bull's Max Verstappen throughout the race. The two drivers remained within striking distance of each other for the majority of the 70-lap contest, separated by mere seconds. Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, making a strong impression in his debut season, completed the podium, securing his first-ever Formula 1 podium finish.
The race featured multiple pit stops and changing strategies, with most of the frontrunners opting for a two-stop strategy. Ferrari initially looked strong, but strategic missteps hampered Charles Leclerc's progress, while Lewis Hamilton struggled with damage to his car. Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin and Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber secured consecutive points finishes.
The most significant drama unfolded in the closing laps when the McLaren teammates, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, found themselves battling for fourth place. Norris, on fresher tires after a longer first stint, had been catching Piastri and attempted a pass on the pit straight. In a daring move, Norris tried to squeeze past Piastri on the inside, but misjudged the gap and collided with the rear of Piastri's car. The impact sent Norris crashing into the pit wall, resulting in his immediate retirement from the race. Piastri, however, was able to continue, albeit with damage to his MCL39.
Norris immediately took responsibility for the incident, apologising to Piastri and the McLaren team over the radio. He later stated that "Rule number one is not to make contact with your team-mate, and that's what I did". The stewards summoned Norris after the race.
The collision brought out the safety car, and with only three laps remaining, the race finished under safety car conditions. This secured George Russell's victory, with Verstappen finishing second and Antonelli in third. Piastri salvaged fourth place, followed by Leclerc and Hamilton in fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Canadian Grand Prix marked a significant milestone for Mercedes, who have struggled to match the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari in recent seasons. Russell's victory demonstrated the progress the team has made and provided a confidence boost for the remainder of the season. For McLaren, the race was a mix of promise and disappointment. While Piastri managed to salvage some points, the collision between their drivers was a costly incident in their pursuit of the championship. The incident also reignited the debate about team orders and the balance between allowing drivers to race and ensuring the best possible result for the team.
