F1 2026 Canadian Grand Prix results: Mercedes clash in Montreal

Kimi Antonelli claimed victory in a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix after Mercedes F1 team-mate George Russell retired from the lead in the closing stages at Montreal.

The new generation regulations once again produced unpredictable racing in changing conditions, with the field split between wet and intermediate tyres at the start. That gamble created drama in the opening laps before the race settled into an intense battle between the two Mercedes drivers.

Then, disaster struck, and a late retirement for Russell handed Antonelli his fourth triumph of the season. Behind them, Lewis Hamilton surged through to second after a late move on Max Verstappen, while Lando Norris’ comeback drive ended in retirement. 

Further back, Ollie Bearman fought into the points, while Arvid Lindblad’s race ended before it had even begun.

Full summary of the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix results

• Winner: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
• Second place: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
• Third place: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
• George Russell: Retired from the lead after dominant weekend 
• Lando Norris: Retired after risky tyre gamble
• Ollie Bearman: 10th after charging through field
• Arvid Lindblad: DNS with gearbox trouble

2026 Canadian Grand Prix Sprint Race results

2026 Canadian Grand Prix results

Antonelli capitalises after intense Mercedes battle

In the Sprint, Antonelli repeatedly challenged team-mate George Russell for the lead, only to make costly mistakes at Turn 2 that dropped him behind Norris. Despite his evident pace, Antonelli ultimately had to settle for third.

The Grand Prix brought another fierce intra-team battle. Starting alongside Russell on the front row, Antonelli jumped ahead at the start before losing the lead on Lap 6 under pressure from his team-mate.

An enthralling duel between the two Mercedes drivers followed, with Antonelli briefly reclaiming the lead on Lap 12 before Russell fought back immediately, and several more position swaps as Russell repeatedly locked up into the final chicane.

Kimi ended up taking the position off track at the final chicane, at which point Mercedes stepped in, requesting that he give the position back. On Lap 30, shortly after George was handed back the lead, he pulled over to the side of the track to retire, handing the lead back to Antonelli.

From there, the young Italian controlled the race to the flag, securing another victory and further strengthening his position at the top of the championship standings.

Russell denied despite dominant display

George Russell converted Sprint pole into victory on Saturday, surviving repeated challenges from Antonelli to secure Mercedes’ second Sprint win of the season.

In the Grand Prix, Russell once again delivered under pressure, snatching pole position from Antonelli in the dying moments of qualifying by less than a tenth of a second.

Although he lost ground at the start, Russell quickly recovered to battle with Antonelli for the lead. The pair swapped positions repeatedly as Russell defended aggressively while fighting persistent brake lock-ups.

But just as victory appeared within reach, disaster struck on Lap 30, when Russell slowed dramatically and retired from the lead, ending what had looked set to become the weekend where his title charge got back on track.

Hamilton storms through to second

Although Hamilton missed out on Sprint pole after looking competitive throughout qualifying, he eventually faded to sixth after late pressure from Oscar Piastri and team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Sunday proved much more rewarding for the seven-time champion. Starting fifth, Hamilton initially lost out to Verstappen before inheriting third place following McLaren’s strategy blunder and later, Russell’s retirement.

From there, the Ferrari driver began hunting down the Red Bull ahead. Lap by lap, Hamilton closed the gap before launching a decisive move around the outside of Turn 1 on Lap 62. It was vintage Hamilton, and secured second place, his best finish with Ferrari to date.

Norris gamble backfires after early lead

Lando Norris began the weekend strongly, securing second place in the Sprint after capitalising on Antonelli’s repeated mistakes while battling Russell.

The Grand Prix initially looked even more promising. Starting third on Intermediate tyres, Norris immediately swept into the lead at the start.

However, McLaren’s roll of the dice didn’t pay off in the long term. Norris pitted from the lead at the end of Lap 2 to switch onto dry tyres. 

The gamble dropped him deep into the order and left him fighting through traffic for much of the afternoon. Although he had recovered to eighth, his race ultimately ended in disappointment with a retirement on Lap 40.

Bearman salvages point after difficult weekend

Ollie Bearman endured a difficult weekend, lining up only 15th for the Sprint and finishing 18th, before starting 16th for the Grand Prix.

But in the race itself, the Haas driver steadily climbed through the field, aided somewhat by the retirements ahead.
A disciplined drive eventually brought him into the top 10 by the chequered flag, salvaging a valuable point from an otherwise difficult weekend.

Lindblad’s race ends before it begins

Arvid Lindblad impressed in Sprint qualifying by securing ninth on the grid before converting it into a points finish with eighth place.

However, his Grand Prix unravelled almost immediately. Starting ninth once again, Lindblad was unable to get his Racing Bulls into gear for the start, effectively ending his race before the lights went out.

2026 Canadian Grand Prix – key takeaways

• Kimi Antonelli wins after George Russell retires from the lead.
• George Russell dominates much of the weekend but suffers costly DNF.
• Lewis Hamilton passes Verstappen late to finish second.
• Lando Norris retires after an early tyre gamble backfires.
• Ollie Bearman recovers from 16th to score a point.
• Arvid Lindblad’s race ends before the opening lap.

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