Final Classification
- George Russell (Pole + Win + Fastest Lap)
- Max Verstappen (+0.228s)
- Kimi Antonelli
- Oscar Piastri
- Charles Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton
- Fernando Alonso
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Esteban Ocon
- Carlos Sainz
Russell’s Hat Trick & Mercedes Revival
George Russell becomes the 50th driver in F1 history to secure a Grand Prix hat trick (pole, win, and fastest lap), giving Mercedes a desperately needed boost. Their 40 points in Canada are more than double what they scored over the last three races combined.
It’s a huge morale boost for a team that struggled through a brutal triple-header and proves Russell’s maturity and racecraft are coming into full bloom.
Tightest Finish Since 2023
The 0.228-second margin between Russell and Verstappen marks the tightest winning margin since Australia 2023 (0.179s), and even earlier, the legendary 2005 San Marino GP (0.215s). While safety cars can skew results, this kind of tension at the flag is rare and thrilling.
Kimi Antonelli Makes History
Kimi Antonelli became the third-youngest F1 podium finisher ever, and the first Italian on the podium since Jarno Trulli in 2009. This marks Italy’s 208th career F1 podium and Antonelli becomes the 29th Italian to stand on the steps.
His post-race radio was touching, and it’s made clear that the entire paddock sees the 18-year-old as more than just a talent, he’s a generational figure in the making. Rosberg told him to celebrate, but the Bologna native may already be back home studying for school exams. Reportedly, his engineers help him with math homework.
McLaren Implodes: Norris Collides with Piastri
Norris’s overambitious move on Oscar Piastri erased what had been one of the best intra-team duels of the year. Norris admitted fault immediately over the radio, “I’m sorry, it’s all my bad”, and while his accountability was commendable, the incident marked a painful shift in championship momentum.
Up to that moment, Norris had been the faster McLaren, brilliantly setting up overtakes and nailing his positioning. Oscar’s hairpin switchback and Lando’s late braking were masterful. But one miscalculation turned excellence into self-inflicted disaster.
The echoes of Jenson Button and Hamilton’s 2011 Canadian tangle made it all the more painful. Brundle’s “He’s lost his front wingggg!” line played like deja vu. The media will now feast on this, but it shouldn’t erase the incredible driving from both McLaren drivers up to that moment.
Ferrari: Strategy Right, Communication Wrong
Leclerc questioned why he was boxed on Lap 31, and was met with the ever-vague “Plan B” reply. Frustrations boiled over as Ferrari once again failed to clearly communicate their thinking.
To be fair, the call was correct, the one-stop strategy wasn’t viable, and Leclerc didn’t have the tire life to make it work. But the pit wall’s refusal to be direct only compounds the drivers’ distrust. “We are checking” is not a strategy discussion, and vague affirmations like “copy” only make things worse.
At this point, Leclerc’s lack of faith is well earned. Years of blunders have eroded the communication baseline between cockpit and wall.
Williams Falters: Albon and the PU Blues
Albon’s long medium stint baffled fans, and his frustration spilled over the radio: “I don’t know why you don’t listen to me. It really annoys me.”
The team’s tendency to gamble has often been the only way to score points, but today it felt like confusion more than creativity. Albon’s eventual retirement raised alarms about the Mercedes PU’s reliability, a string of failures from Mercedes powered cars now has fans worried a title could be decided by an engine fault.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s tire and aero strengths have allowed them to run cooler and avoid some of these issues. That difference may prove crucial as the season develops.
Alonso: “We are racing, not testing”
Told to be cautious into Turn 3 and 8, Alonso responded with trademark fire: “We are racing, not testing.”
It was peak Fernando. Even as Aston Martin struggles with strategy, he continues to drag the car higher than it deserves. He and Raikkonen remain unmatched on the radio.
The Groundhog Tragedy
On Lap 12, Lewis Hamilton hit a groundhog on track. The moment was captured in replays and left visible debris through Turns 10 and 11. Post-race, Hamilton said:
“I didn’t see it happen but I heard I hit a groundhog. That’s devastating. I love animals and I’m so sad about it. That’s horrible, ugh. That’s never happened to me here.”
The broadcast repeatedly showed what remained. Many mistook it for a log, turf, or debris. Safety car or VSC wasn’t deployed, as marshals are only allowed on track under controlled conditions. The body stayed put, sparking debate but ultimately no intervention.
For Hamilton, a long-time vegan and animal rights supporter, this was clearly a heavy emotional blow.
Final Word
This was a Grand Prix of peaks and valleys:
- A breakout win and hat trick for Russell
- A soul-crushing DNF for Norris
- An emotional breakthrough for Antonelli
- A reminder that Ferrari still fumbles basic comms
- A surreal, tragic reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife on street tracks
It had everything: pace, pain, promise, and poignancy. And we’re not even halfway through the season.