Antonelli Wins Canadian GP After Fierce Battles, Hamilton and Verstappen…

The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix delivered on its promise, offering a race packed with twists and intense battles. Kimi Antonelli, starting from pole, ultimately converted his advantage, but not without a fight, benefiting from his teammate George Russell’s retirement and a long-distance duel with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Rain, a constant presence in the Montreal skies, played a decisive role in team strategies and the unfolding of this Canadian round. Between pre-start mix-ups, bold tire changes, and on-track contact, the spectacle was certainly present, confirming this race’s status as a key moment in the season.

Chaotic Starts and Bold Tire Choices

The uncertain weather conditions sowed confusion even before the first corner. A persistent light drizzle hinted at a wet-track race, prompting some teams, like McLaren, to opt for intermediate tires right from the start. A risky gamble that, for Lando Norris, paid off in the early moments, propelling him into the lead. However, as the track dried quickly, this choice soon proved to be a handicap, forcing the cars back into the pits within the first few laps.

The start procedure also saw several interruptions. A technical issue with Arvid Lindblad’s car initially led to the abortion of the first attempt, followed by an extra formation lap. The situation repeated itself, lengthening the waiting time and complicating tire warm-up, before the pack finally managed to get going for good.

Antonelli Wins Canadian GP After Fierce Battles, Hamilton and Verstappen Claim Podium Spots

Russell and Antonelli: A Fraternal Duel

Once the race was underway, the fight raged, particularly between the two Mercedes drivers. George Russell, starting from pole, quickly saw his young teammate Kimi Antonelli take the lead. But the Briton didn’t give up, attacking relentlessly to regain the top spot. The two cars engaged in a fierce duel, marked by daring overtakes and near-miss contacts, testifying to the palpable tension within the German outfit.

These skirmishes, however, had consequences. Antonelli, cutting the chicane to avoid contact, had to cede position. Russell, for his part, made a mistake at the hairpin, allowing his teammate to regain the lead. The battle reached its peak when, in an overtaking attempt, the two Mercedes touched, with Russell eventually retiring due to a mechanical issue, betrayed by his car.

Antonelli Wins Canadian GP After Fierce Battles, Hamilton and Verstappen Claim Podium Spots image 2

Verstappen and Hamilton: The Comeback

While the Mercedes drivers were locked in an internal war, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, starting third and fifth respectively, took advantage of the situation. The Dutchman, after overtaking Hamilton, became a threat behind the German cars. The seven-time world champion, meanwhile, lost ground after a trip off track but managed to get back into the race to join the podium fight.

After Russell’s retirement and a pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car, Hamilton found the pace to close in on Verstappen. The duel between the two champions reached its climax in the final laps, with Hamilton trying by all means to snatch second place from the Red Bull driver. An intense battle that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the checkered flag.

Antonelli: A Hard-Fought Victory

Despite the constant pressure from his pursuers, Kimi Antonelli managed his race to win the Canadian Grand Prix. His fourth consecutive victory confirms his excellent start to the season and his mastery in difficult conditions. The young driver thus solidifies his status as a serious title contender, demonstrating impressive maturity for his age.

Behind him, Lewis Hamilton finally managed to get past Max Verstappen to take second place, offering a prestigious podium finish for Ferrari. The Dutchman completed the top 3, marking his first significant podium of the season. The race was also marked by Lando Norris’s retirement and several penalties, notably for Isack Hadjar, who despite a ten-second penalty, managed to finish fifth.

The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix Review

Kimi Antonelli secures his fourth consecutive victory, consolidating his lead in the championship standings.
Lewis Hamilton finishes second, engaging in an intense duel with Max Verstappen for a podium spot.
Max Verstappen rounds out the podium, marking his first significant result of the season.
George Russell, battling for the lead, is forced to retire due to a mechanical issue.
The changing weather conditions dictated strategies and added suspense to the race.
Several penalties were issued, notably to Isack Hadjar, affecting the final standings.