KIMI Antonelli further tightened his grip on the 2026 F1 season, surviving a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix to become the first driver in history to win his first four career Grands Prix in succession.
READ: Russell endures Mercedes drama to take pole, Sprint win in Canada
The 19-year-old Mercedes star capitalized on teammate George Russell’s heartbreaking retirement to secure another landmark victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, extending what has rapidly become one of the most remarkable starts to a sophomore campaign the sport has seen.
Russell had appeared on course to complete a near-perfect weekend after claiming Sprint pole, Sprint victory, and Grand Prix pole, but the race unraveled midway through an intense Mercedes duel.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris initially jumped both Silver Arrows at lights out from third on the grid before Russell reclaimed the lead on Lap 6.
Antonelli stayed glued to his teammate throughout the opening stint as the pair gradually broke away from the field, but the defining moment came on Lap 30 when Russell suddenly slowed with a suspected power unit issue while leading the race, forcing the British driver to pull over and retire from the race.
Antonelli inherited the lead from there and controlled the remainder of the race despite varying tyre strategies and changing conditions around him.
"It was a really fun battle to be fair with George. We were pretty much in the limit and it was not easy today with the wind. Very gusty, Turn 10 was very difficult. I think one lap he locked up and then I went in front and locked up," Antonelli said.
"It was very close and it was a shame for him to have he failure because it would have been a very cool battle, but I mean, we take it. Another win and I'm very happy, and a massive thanks of course to the team."
Lewis Hamilton delivered his strongest Sunday yet for Ferrari to finish second after overtaking Max Verstappen on Lap 62, while the Red Bull driver settled for third and his first podium of the season.
Charles Leclerc followed in fourth after Ferrari’s alternate strategy failed to fully pay off.
Isack Hadjar continued his impressive run with fifth for Red Bull Racing, while Franco Colapinto finished sixth for Alpine. Liam Lawson took seventh ahead of Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Ollie Bearman, who completed the top 10.
Rough day in Montreal
The race also turned disastrous for McLaren, as Norris retired on Lap 40 with a gearbox issue after spending much of the afternoon inside the lead fight, while Oscar Piastri’s recovery bid fell through after contact with Alex Albon damaged his front wing and earned the Australian a 10-second penalty. Albon was forced to retire from the incident.
Fernando Alonso also dropped out after midfield contact, as attrition and changing grip levels added further chaos to the race.
Amid all the drama, Antonelli once again remained composed beyond his years, managing the restart phases and tyre wear to secure a fourth straight victory.
The result significantly widened the championship picture, as Antonelli extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship at 131 points, opening a commanding 43-point advantage over Russell’s 88 after the Briton’s costly retirement.
What began as another tense Mercedes rivalry weekend ultimately ended with Antonelli once again delivering the result that mattered most.
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