George Russell delivered a sensational weekend in Canada, taking both pole position and race victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, as Mercedes climbed back into the title conversation. Behind him, Max Verstappen finished second with a composed, if unspectacular, drive—though a potential final-lap infraction still awaits stewards' review.
But the spotlight truly belonged to Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old from Bologna clinched a historic third place, becoming the first Italian to step onto a Formula 1 podium in nearly two decades. It was a performance full of grit, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience, as the Mercedes prodigy fended off late-race pressure with stunning maturity.
Drama peaked in the closing laps. McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were on the charge, both with DRS, chasing down Antonelli. But instead of a coordinated attack, they sabotaged each other. Norris attempted a desperate move on the inside of the main straight, clipped the wall, and retired on the spot—handing the final podium spot to the Italian teen and dealing a severe blow to his own title hopes.
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For McLaren, it was a bitter pill, especially with Piastri now overtaking Norris in the driver standings thanks to another composed finish.
At Ferrari, it was another case of missed opportunities. Charles Leclerc salvaged a fifth-place finish but was hampered by questionable strategy calls, including a costly double stint on the same tyre compound and a delayed pit stop. Tensions flared on the team radio as the Monegasque driver voiced his frustration. Carlos Sainz, finishing tenth, never managed to find race pace or rhythm.
The Scuderia’s chronic issues resurfaced: erratic race management, sluggish in-race decision-making, and a failure to capitalize when it mattered most.
Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton endured an unusual setback: a collision with a small animal early in the race disrupted his car's aerodynamics. Despite the odd mishap, the seven-time world champion crossed the line in sixth, ahead of a steady Fernando Alonso and an impressive Nico Hulkenberg.
With this result, Piastri consolidates second place in the championship standings. Verstappen remains the frontrunner, now 43 points clear, but the title fight is far from over. One thing is certain: in a season where the margins are razor-thin, costly errors—especially for McLaren and Ferrari—are proving to be the difference.
