Montreal – In a thrilling race marked by composure, strategy, and young talent shining through, George Russell claimed victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, giving Mercedes its long-awaited return to the top step. Russell, who last won in Las Vegas, secured the win thanks to a flawless qualifying session and strong race pace.
Fellow Mercedes driver and rising star Kimi Antonelli finished third, earning his first Formula 1 podium — a historic achievement for the Italian, who now becomes the first Italian driver to stand on the podium since 2009.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took second place after running a defensive race, fending off Antonelli in the early stages and managing tyre degradation in the closing laps.
Russell’s win was made sweeter by the occasion — Father’s Day, which he dedicated to his dad, still supporting racing back home. The victory comes amid speculation around his 2026 contract, but the Brit made it clear: he wants to stay at Mercedes.
Antonelli, emotional and proud, credited teammate George Russell and the team’s support for helping him develop after a tough triple header. The young Italian also acknowledged the support of Italian fans worldwide, vowing to aim for a first win soon.
Verstappen admitted the team had squeezed out the maximum possible and warned Red Bull still needs more performance to fight McLaren and Mercedes consistently.
The moment was also light-hearted — Russell joked about potentially releasing a “nude calendar” if contract talks stall and even hinted at a celebratory dip in the lake near Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

