George Russell secured his first victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, leading from pole position to the chequered flag in a commanding performance for Mercedes.
The British driver finished ahead of championship leader Max Verstappen in second, whilst 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Russell's Mercedes teammate, claimed a remarkable maiden podium.
Russell's triumph marked Mercedes' first win since Las Vegas last year, ending a lengthy drought for the Silver Arrows.
The victory was particularly sweet for Russell, who had narrowly missed out on winning from pole at the same circuit twelve months earlier.
George Russell won his first race of the season, and his fourth in total
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The race took a dramatic turn when McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided in the closing stages, bringing out the safety car that would see the race finish under caution.
Norris had been pursuing his teammate for fourth place when he attempted an overtake at the hairpin on lap 66, running deep and allowing Piastri to draw alongside.
As they battled through the final chicane and onto the main straight, Norris misjudged his next passing attempt and clipped the rear of Piastri's car.
The contact ripped off Norris's front wing, forcing his immediate retirement and dealing a significant blow to his championship aspirations.
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Lando Norris was forced to retire after hitting teammate Oscar Piastri
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After the race, Russell said: "It's amazing to be back on the top step.
"The last time for us was back in Vegas. I felt last year was a victory lost and probably got the victory today due to the incredible pole lap yesterday."
The Mercedes driver paid tribute to his young teammate, adding: "Obviously so happy to see Kimi on the podium as well. Amazing day for the team."
Verstappen acknowledged Red Bull's struggles, revealing they had pursued an aggressive strategy to maximise their result.
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"We were doing quite an aggressive strategy, but luckily on that final stint we managed to hang in there," the Dutchman explained.
After his first-ever podium, Antonelli said: "It was so stressful but super happy.
"I had a good start, managed to jump into P3 and just stayed up there at the front."
The safety car brought proceedings to a close, with Russell crossing the line ahead of Verstappen and Antonelli to secure Mercedes' first win of the season.
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George Russell celebrated on the podium with teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli
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Piastri recovered to finish fourth despite the collision and subsequent pit stop, whilst Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton claimed fifth and sixth respectively.
Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz completed the points positions.
Antonelli's third-place finish made him the third-youngest driver to claim a Formula 1 podium, marking a memorable debut season for the Italian teenager.
The result represented the fourth different winner in the 2025 season and Russell's fourth career victory.
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