Mercedes driver George Russell claimed his first Formula 1 victory of 2024 at the Canadian Grand Prix, fending off Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a dramatic race that ended under safety car conditions after McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided.
Russell dominated from pole position at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, securing his fourth career win and Mercedes' first double podium of the season with rookie Kimi Antonelli finishing third. The British driver called it "an amazing day for the team," highlighting their improved performance in cooler conditions.
Verstappen, who retains third in the championship standings, acknowledged his second-place finish as "the maximum we could achieve" despite tire challenges. The result tightens the title race, with Piastri extending his lead over Norris to 22 points after their late-race clash.
The race's defining moment came on lap 67 when Norris attempted an aggressive overtake on Piastri, resulting in contact that sent his McLaren into the wall. The incident triggered a safety car and earned Norris a five-second penalty, ending McLaren's perfect podium record this season.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised both drivers, stating: "George drove brilliantly and Kimi didn't crack under pressure." The victory marks a significant turnaround for Mercedes, who last achieved a 1-3 finish in 2022.
