Sports (Commonwealth Union) _ George Russell delivered a remarkable performance at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, sweeping his first win of the season. Representing Mercedes, the 27-year-old British racer raised chances for the brand to secure an F1 Championship trophy.
Fending off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following his takeoff from the pole position, Russell’s victory by 0.16s marked his first win since Las Vegas in 2024 and his fifth podium finish this season.
During the 2024 season, Russell had previously raced at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, where he finished disappointingly in 3rd place after starting from pole position. However, Russell raced this year with more maturity and precision, steering through a dramatic race, at one point behind a safety car prompted by a collision between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—the two racers who led the Spanish GP.
The incident ignited a protest by Red Bull, which accused Russell of erratic driving, having braked aggressively, and not keeping the required 10 car lengths between the safety car and himself. However, the stewards rejected this protest, deeming it unfounded and confirming George Russell’s victory.
Russell spoke to Sky Sports following his victory, stating that it felt “a bit like redemption” and that he had been able to navigate the race in a calm and controlled manner.
The Canadian GP victory boosted Russell to fourth place in the overall F1 Drivers’ Championship, led by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. With Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at No. 1 and 2, respectively, Russell now stands in a promising place despite Piastri’s obvious advantage.
Speaking about the standings, Russell expressed his surprise at both himself and Max Verstappen being in close proximity to the McLaren racers, while noting that they were losing points despite having the advantage of a faster car.
Mercedes used the advantage of the smooth tracks and cooler temperatures in Montreal, an environment much more suited to the car’s characteristics. Toto Wolff, the team’s principal, accepted that despite the results being quite encouraging, it would be difficult to maintain a consistent performance throughout the 2025 season.
The Canadian race further lifted up Mercedes’ prospects, with Russell’s partner Andrea Kimi Antonelli pulling up at third place, marking a double podium win. The 1-3 finish was their best win this season, lifting Mercedes’ position in the Constructors Championship just under McLaren.
Wolff responded positively to Russell’s performance, stating that while they are waiting for the right moment to sort out the contracts, Russell has given them plenty of incentive to keep him on the team.
With Verstappen in second place, the Spanish GP winner and the current leader in the F1 Drivers’ Championship, Oscar Piastri, was able to shake off his collision with partner Lando Norris to come in just short of a podium win at fourth place. The fifth and sixth spots were taken by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, respectively, racing for Ferrari.
However, George Russell’s performance at the Canadian Grand Prix reestablished him as a top-tier F1 driver, reiterating his place in the F1 championship. With Mercedes put to the test this year, going up against Red Bull and McLaren, the win is a breakthrough that raises the team’s prospects. Nevertheless, regardless of whether the victory marks a significant turning point in the season, George Russell and Mercedes have demonstrated their capabilities under favorable conditions.
