Credited from: REUTERS
George Russell celebrated his first victory of the 2025 Formula One season at the Canadian Grand Prix, marking Mercedes' initial win of the year. Russell started from pole position and maintained a strong lead throughout the race, even as Red Bull's Max Verstappen pursued him. The victory also represents Russell's fourth career win, showcasing his composure under pressure despite the drama that unfolded behind him with McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri colliding late in the race, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.
The clash between Norris and Piastri occurred on lap 67 as Norris attempted to overtake Piastri. Norris misjudged the maneuver, resulting in significant contact that damaged his car and led to his retirement from the race. Piastri managed to continue, finishing in fourth. After the incident, Norris quickly accepted blame, stating, "I'm sorry. All my bad. All my fault. Stupid from me," demonstrating a sense of accountability, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
As a result of this incident, Piastri now leads the championship with a 22-point gap over Norris, significantly altering the dynamics of the title race. This marks a notable shift in Piastri's performance this season, as he has consistently outperformed his teammate. Verstappen follows in third, while Russell is currently fourth in the standings, according to India Times and BBC.
Completing the podium was rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who finished third. His impressive performance not only secured him his first podium but also made him the third-youngest driver to achieve this feat in Formula 1 history. Antonelli's ability to capitalize on the chaos among the McLaren drivers has announced his arrival in the sport, reflecting a bright future for the young talent, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.
Looking ahead, the championship landscape is expected to become even more competitive as the F1 season progresses. With four different race winners already this season—Russell, Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri—the next race at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29 promises to bring further excitement and twists in the ongoing title battle, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.