Antonelli Wins Canadian GP, Leads by 43 Points Mercedes
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- Kimi Antonelli expressed strong disapproval of teammate George Russell’s defensive tactics during the Sprint race in Montreal, as reported on The F1 Show podcast.
- George Russell won the Sprint race in Montreal, while Antonelli remained calmer in post‑race comments, but the rivalry resumed in the Sunday Grand Prix where they started on the front row.
- Canadian Grand Prix saw Antonelli and Russell exchange the lead several times before Russell’s power‑unit failure ended his race, allowing Antonelli to claim victory and extend his Drivers’ Championship lead to 43 points.
- Toto Wolff said Mercedes would review the weekend with the drivers and hinted that some moments in Montreal exceeded his comfort level, though no immediate team orders were announced.
- David Croft urged Wolff not to intervene, arguing that Mercedes’ comfortable Constructors’ Championship lead makes driver autonomy preferable and that only a serious mistake should trigger team orders.
- Jamie Chadwick noted that the drivers were warned on radio to keep the battle “tidy,” and highlighted the rarity of such intense intra‑team fighting, especially under the new regulations that keep cars close together.
Why it matters: Antonelli’s victory widens his Drivers’ Championship lead to 43 points, bolstering his title prospects, while Russell’s power‑unit failure erodes his momentum. Mercedes’ decision to refrain from immediate team orders preserves driver autonomy but risks further intra‑team friction that could threaten their comfortable Constructors’ lead.
