George Russell Secures First Victory of the Season in Dramatic Canadian Grand Prix
George Russell clinched his first victory of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, delivering a thrilling performance that concluded with a dramatic collision between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The race, held at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, showcased a mix of strategic racing and intense competition.
Starting from pole position, Russell maintained his lead from the outset, fending off pressure from Max Verstappen. The race was marked by various strategies as teams opted for either a two-stop or one-stop plan. Russell and the frontrunners predominantly executed a two-stop strategy, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
As the race unfolded, Piastri was engaged in a fierce battle for third place with Kimi Antonelli and Norris. The tension escalated when Norris collided with Piastri, forcing Norris to retire from the race. Reflecting on the incident, Norris admitted over the radio, “All my fault,” as he parked his damaged car on the sidelines.
With the deployment of the Safety Car to recover Norris’s vehicle, Russell crossed the finish line in 1:31:52.688, marking his fourth career Grand Prix victory. Verstappen finished a mere 0.228 seconds behind in second place, while Antonelli celebrated a remarkable debut podium in third.
Piastri managed to hold on to fourth place, maintaining his championship lead, followed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in fifth and sixth, respectively. Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the points-scoring positions in seventh and eighth.
The race also saw notable retirements, with Liam Lawson and Alex Albon forced to abandon their vehicles due to mechanical issues, joining Norris as drivers who did not finish.
After the race, Russell expressed his joy, stating, “It’s amazing to be back on the top step. Thanks to everybody back at the factory who’s been working so hard to get us back fighting for victories. It feels good.”
The F1 circus will next head to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix from June 27-29, where teams will look to build on their performances in Montreal.
