George Russell Triumphs at 2025 Canadian Grand Prix with Kimi Antonelli Podium

On June 15, 2025, George Russell clinched his first victory of the Formula 1 season at the Canadian Grand Prix held in Montreal, with teammate Kimi Antonelli securing a remarkable third-place finish, marking a historic double podium for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. This race not only highlighted the team's resurgence but also underscored the promising talent of 18-year-old Antonelli, who became the third youngest driver in F1 history to podium.

Russell's commanding performance featured a strategic two-stop Medium-Hard-Hard tire strategy, which allowed him to maintain a lead throughout the race. He started from pole position and effectively managed his pace and tire wear, finishing just ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. Russell clocked a fastest lap time of 1:14.119 over the 70 laps, demonstrating both speed and consistency amid high track temperatures nearing 50°C.

According to Russell, "I am really pleased to take the team’s first victory of the season. I felt in control throughout and was able to manage the race to bring home the win." He acknowledged the contributions of the Mercedes team, stating, "A big well done and thank you to everyone at Brackley and Brixworth."

Kimi Antonelli, who started from fourth position, executed a crucial maneuver at Turn Three on the first lap, overtaking Oscar Piastri and setting the stage for his podium finish. His efforts kept the pressure on Verstappen during the race, as he sought to overtake the championship leader. Antonelli remarked, "That was a very intense and stressful race! I am really happy to take my first podium in F1 though."

Toto Wolff, the CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG, praised both drivers for their performances. "George was absolutely faultless at the front. He controlled the race throughout and didn’t put a foot wrong," he stated. Wolff also commended Antonelli for his impressive debut season, saying, "He fully deserved to get on the podium and his first top three finish, which I am sure there will be many more of."

The outcome of this race has significant implications for the Constructors' Championship, with Mercedes moving up to second place ahead of the upcoming double-header in Austria and Great Britain. Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, noted, "Our first race win and double podium of the year are a fantastic reward at the end of a strong weekend."

Historically, Mercedes has had a strong performance in Montreal, and this victory marks their 130th Grand Prix win. The team intends to build on this momentum as they prepare for the next races, with an objective to consistently compete for victories.

As the 2025 season progresses, the spotlight will be on both Russell and Antonelli, with expectations high for continued success and potential championship contention. The challenges posed by upcoming circuits will test the capabilities of the Mercedes team further, as they aim to solidify their position at the front of the grid.