Kimi Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix as his Mercedes team-mate George Russell retired due to a power unit issue after an epic battle between the Silver Arrows.
Antonelli becomes the first driver in F1 history to claim his first four wins consecutively and extends his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 43 points.
But the two Mercedes almost came to blows during an incredible fight for the lead that lasted 31 laps until Russell’s retirement, as Antonelli and Russell traded positions on several occasions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Antonelli was inches from running into the back of Russell early on and the pair later made minor contact, but they avoided any damage in one of the most exciting lead battles in recent F1 memory.
Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen late on to take his best result for Ferrari in second on a strong weekend for the seven-time world champion.
But, Verstappen will be satisfied with his first podium of 2026 after making up ground in the opening stint in cold conditions which challenged the drivers.
Charles Leclerc was fourth despite a late half-spin with Ferrari moving ahead of McLaren into second in the Constructors’ Championship.
Neither McLaren driver scored points as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri gambled by starting on the intermediates, which proved to be the incorrect strategy.
Norris later retired due to a suspected gearbox failure when coming through the field, while Piastri had contact with Williams’ Alex Albon and was hit with a 10-second time penalty
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Russell and Antonelli went wheel-to-wheel making contact as Antonelli was forced off before giving the place back
Isack Hadjar held onto fifth despite two penalties for weaving as he tried to defend from Leclerc and for speeding under yellow flag conditions.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto continued his strong form with a career-best sixth, with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson fending off Pierre Gasly to take seventh.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz finished ninth for the third time this season and Haas’ Oliver Bearman was 10th.
Two extra formation laps took place before the race due to Britain’s Arvid Lindblad suffering an issue which meant he could not take the start.
More to follow…
Next up is the start of Formula 1’s European summer swing, with the Monaco Grand Prix the first of six races in eight weeks. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 from June 5-7. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
