15/06/2025
NEWS STORY
Over the years Montreal has produced more than its share of classics, and if today's race is anything like the closing moments of yesterday's qualifying session we could be in for a treat.
However, let's not get our hopes up, for we could just as well be in for an afternoon of (DRS) train-spotting.
God knows how many times we have said that a race can be won or lost at the first corner, however today that could equally apply to the title.
While the Papaya pair are likely to continue locking horns until Abu Dhabi, any silliness from Max Verstappen and he's out for a race.
Now, if we were talking about any other driver we might be tempted to think that common sense will prevail, but this is Max, and the situation isn't helped by the fact that the likes of Russell, Piastri and Norris will be happy to take advantage of the Dutchman's perilous penalty point predicament.
There have been plenty of first corner, first lap incidents here over the years, and we're sure that all involved have watched re-runs overnight. We'll leave it to the likes of Sky to build the hyperbole in terms of the potential this afternoon.
The McLarens have been unusually inconsistent this weekend, while Norris' qualifying was another self-inflicted disaster. Adding to the conundrum is the fact that Piastri clearly isn't happy with the suspension update and is sticking with the older version.
Russell did brilliantly to take pole and both he and his teammate have looked strong all weekend, while at Ferrari Hamilton has been the more impressive, his teammate making more than his fair share of mistakes.
Talking of Antonelli, with Verstappen without support and both Piastri and Hamilton's teammate out of position, the Italian could play a vital role in having Russell's back in the opening stages.
That said, we are guaranteed some fun and games as Leclerc - who starts 8th - seeks to work his way up the field, especially as he is joined by Norris.
Alonso is in the mix, the Spaniard clearly at ease with recent updates to his car, while Hadjar and Albon should be good for a few points, possibly Sainz if he can work his way through the field.
The Spaniard failed to make it out of Q1 after being impeded by Hadjar who got a three-place grid drop for his trouble, while Gasly and Lawson both start from the pitlane after changes were made to their cars under parc ferme conditions. Then, of course, there was Tsunoda's 10-place penalty for overtaking under a red flag.
Strategic gambles paid off for both Russell and Verstappen in qualifying, and it is likely that a few more strategic risks will be required today.
Since it first appeared in Imola, we have seen that the difference in performance between the C6 and the C5 is quite small, of the order of a tenth to a tenth and a half, and that the C6 delivers peak performance in a narrower operating window. Here in Montreal, several drivers preferred to rely on the C5 (medium) that they know well, rather than venture into chasing that extra bit of performance the C6 might offer, feeling more comfortable with a compound that gave them more confidence when it comes to tackling a tricky track like this one with its kerbs and walls. The result was a Q3 order with four drivers posting their best timers on the yellow-banded rubber.
The expansion of the 2025 compound range is also having the indirect effect of delivering a greater variety of approaches from the teams and drivers in terms of tyre usage over the weekend and that will be reflected in today's race. Pirelli thinks a two-stop is the most plausible option, favouring the use of the medium and hard. A one-stop is theoretically possible, but unlikely to pay off, especially as overtaking is possible here. The C6 could be a useful choice for the start, for example for those with two new sets of hards available, who are planning a relatively short first stint or for anyone banking on an early appearance from the Safety Car.
The majority of the big guns have two sets of the hard available, however the Mercedes pair don't have any fresh sets. On the other hand, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc and Hamilton have one set of fresh mediums.
Other than strategy, while we can rule out the Weather Gods, the dusty track surface, bumps, over-enthusiasm and sheer frustration are likely to play a part this afternoon.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out.
Air temperature is 23 degrees C, while the track temperature is 49 degrees, slightly warmer than the previous two days.
"We are concerned," admits Toto Wolff, "it is more than ten degrees hotter than on Friday when we were strong on the long runs."
All are starting on mediums bar Norris, Leclerc, Ocon, Bortoleto, Sainz, Stroll, Tsunoda, Lawson and Gasly. Fresh rubber for all bar Russell, Verstappen, Antonelli, Alonso, Albon, Colapinto, Stroll and Lawson.
They head off on the formation lap. All get away.
The grid forms, Russell and Verstappen both have their nose pointed inwards.
They're away. Russell gets a nice start and leads Verstappen into Turn 1, Piastri is almost through on the inside of Antonelli in Turn 1, but the Mercedes has the inside for Turn 2. Just behind, Norris tries to go around the outside of Hamilton, but not only does he lose out to the Ferrari, on the run to Turn 3 he is passed by Alonso.
Albon is battling Colapinto for tenth, however as they approach Turn 8 there is no room for the Williams driver who heads over the grass.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Russell, Verstappen, Antonelli, Piastri, Hamilton, Alonso, Norris, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, and Colapinto. Hadjar is eleventh, Sainz sixteenth and Tsunoda seventeenth.
After two laps Antonelli is dropping back while Verstappen posts the fastest lap. Is the Italian playing rear-gunner for his teammate?
Verstappen continues to set a punishing pace, the Dutchman clearly pushing Russell as hard as he can.
"We are going Plan B target lap," Piastri is told.
At the end of Lap 6, Russell is finally able to open the gap to over a second.
Albon and Antonelli are already having lap times deleted for exceeding track limits.
"Front deg is better than FP2," reports Piastri, "rear deg is worse."
"These tyres are not great," adds Leclerc.
As Norris closes on Alonso, Antonelli closes on Verstappen.
"Thoughts on tyres, please Max" "Not good," he replies."
At the hairpin, Norris passes Alonso who offers no resistance, and why should he.
"We are monitoring an issue similar to Barcelona with the power unit," Albon is told.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 12, rejoining in ninth on hards.
Ocon passes his Haas teammate for 13th, the Briton subsequently passed by Hadjar also.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 13, as does Hadjar. Russell rejoins in seventh ahead of Hulkenberg and Verstappen.
Antonelli leads.
"Russell has pitted, this is Plan A," Norris is told. "We need one of those amazing races from you here."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Montreal here.
Antonelli pits, rejoining in ninth, 3s behind Verstappen.
Norris is all over Hamilton who subsequently pits, as does Alonso. Hamilton rejoins in ninth and Alonso in 17th.
As Piastri pits - at the end of Lap 16 - Verstappen passes Hulkenberg for fourth.
Piastri rejoins in seventh as teammate Norris leads, on the hards. Leclerc, also on the white-banded rubber, is second.
Sainz locks-up in the hairpin and almost collecting Bearman and Tsunoda.
As Bearman pits, Piastri passes Hulkenberg for sixth.
It is unclear why but Alonso has dropped to seventeenth.
Hulkenberg pits as Ocon and then Hamilton pass Albon. Sainz also passes the struggling Thai driver.
"I don't know why you don't listen to me," says Albon. "It's really annoying."
"Don't box now," urges Albon, "don't tell me to box."
Bortoleto passes Albon, thereby adding to the Williams driver's frustration.
Alonso makes a nice move on the struggling Williams driver who has dropped to thirteenth.
Hamilton is told that he has damage and is losing downforce, as teammate Leclerc is told: "Plan B".
Stroll pits at the end of Lap 25, rejoining in 19th, just ahead of Albon who has pitted.
As Norris continues to lead, Russell closes to within 0.5s of second-placed Leclerc. Verstappen keeps a watching eye.
Russell passes the Ferrari on the run to the final chicane, leaving him 2.222s down on Norris.
As Verstappen reels in Leclerc, Russell posts a new fastest lap (15.299).
"Box, box!" Leclerc is told at the end of Lap 28. He obliges.
"I don't understand this choice," says Leclerc as he emerges on hards, which means another stop.
Alonso passes Tsunoda for tenth, as Norris finally pits. The Briton rejoins in fifth on fresh mediums.
"Why have we boxed, why did we box?" demands Leclerc.
2.2s down on Antonelli, fifth-placed Piastri posts a new fastest lap (15.272).
"Gentle entry Turns 3 and 8," Alonso is told. "We are racing, not testing," he responds. Love him.
A mistake from Bearman who runs too deep into Turn 8, ass Gasly passes Hulkenberg for fourteenth.
Lap 33 sees a new fastest lap from Norris (15.002).
At half-distance, it's: Russell, Verstappen, Antonelli, Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Ocon, Alonso and Sainz. Ocon and Sainz have yet to stop.
"Swap positions with Colapinto," Gasly is told.
"I'm nowhere in this race, mate," says Hamilton, "I don't know what's happened." He is assured that his race pace is good. However, let's not forget that he has damage to his car.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 37. He rejoins in sixth on fresh hards.
Next time around, Antonelli reacts to the undercut. He rejoins just yards behind Verstappen.
"Can we get to the end without front graining," Piastri is asked. "I can only see a small band," he replies.
In thirteenth, Bortoleto leads a DRS train of six cars. In twentieth, Lawson is the first driver to be lapped.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 41, as Gasly passes Hadjar for 15th.
Russell rejoins in fourth, 2.6s down on Leclerc and 4s ahead of Verstappen. Replay suggests an issue with Russell's left-rear during his stop.
"The car is getting harder to drive," says Piastri.
Further back Stroll and Gasly battle for 17th, the Frenchman running wide in the final chicane. "He pushed me wide," says the Alpine driver.
Piastri pits at the end of Lap 45, rejoining in sixth as Hamilton also stops. The Briton rejoins in seventh, just ahead of Alonso.
"Box, box!" Norris is told. The Briton duly pits, rejoining in sixth, 3.4s down on his teammate and 24s ahead of Hamilton.
Albon pulls off track and parks up, his race over, as Lawson has been noted for ignoring blue flags.
Stroll is given a 10s penalty for forcing another driver off track. That is sure to go down well.
Leclerc leads but will need to pit again. Russell is 1.6s behind, 2.8s ahead of Verstappen.
Onboard suggests a power unit issue for Albon.
Alonso pits as Norris posts a new fastest lap (14.494).
"Leclerc's pace is dropping off," Piastri is told, "this is a straight fight between you, Russell, Verstappen and Antonelli."
"What are waiting for to stop," asks Leclerc. "We don't want to do too many laps on the medium," he is told.
Stroll pits to serve his penalty, his teammate dropping to twelfth following his second stop.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 53, as Piastri closes on Antonelli.
Leclerc rejoins in sixth, 9s down on Norris, but on fresh mediums.
The top five are covered by 7.3s with 15 laps remaining.
Ocon, Sainz and Tsunoda have yet to stop.
As Antonelli and Piastri battle, Norris posts a new fastest lap (14.239) ass he closes to within 2.1s.
Lawson is told to retire.
Verstappen is lapping 0.4s quicker than Russell, the gap down to 1.5s.
Norris and Leclerc are trading fastest sectors as Tsunoda finally pits.
The McLaren pair weave their way through the backmarkers in their pursuit of Antonelli.
Ocon and Sainz pit at the end of Lap 58.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Montreal here.
Russell responds and opens a 1.9s gap as Norris is within DRS range of his McLaren teammate.
Norris is all over his teammate.
At the start of Lap 61, Russell goes quickest in S1. It's a PB as he maintains 2.1 lead over Verstappen.
Alonso is all over eighth-placed Hulkenberg.
"Attack Oscar while he doesn't have DRS," Norris is told, as Alonso passes Hulkenberg.
Lap 63 sees a new fastest lap from Russell (14.119) as he leads by 2.5s.
On Lap 66, Norris goes through the inside of his teammate at the hairpin. However, the Australian fights back. Piastri stays ahead through the final chicane, but as they head towards Turn 1 they clash.
Or do they?
"I'm sorry, it's all my bad," says Norris. "Stupid of me."
The Safety Car has been deployed, as the replay shows that in his desperation to pass his teammate Norris went wide, over the grass verge and in the process his front wing clipped the left rear of his teammate's car, the Briton running along the pitwalland losing his left-front wheel in the process..
Under the Safety Car the drivers are led through the pitlane. Piastri is lucky not to lose position as he released into the path of backmarkers.
Verstappen complains that Russell erratically braked. Russell complains that Verstappen overtook him under the Safety Car.
"Don't fall for the gamesmanship," Verstappen is told as the race is going to end under the Safety Car.
It's a low key finish as Russell takes the flag behind the Safety Car, ahead of Verstappen, Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Sainz.
Bearman is eleventh, ahead of Tsunoda, Colapinto, Bortoleto, Gasly, Hadjar and Stroll.
Bearman is under investigation for not using the escape road correctly, while Sainz and Ocon will be investigated for driving erratically.
Indeed the stewards face a long, long night - cue failure of FIA website - for Antonelli, Piastri, Ocon, Leclerc, Sainz, Gasly and Stroll have all been noted for a Safety Car infringement.
Norris and Piastri have also been noted for causing a collision.
"It was so stressful," admits Antonelli. "But super happy.
"I had a good start," he adds, "I managed to jump into P3 and managed to stay there.
"In the last stint I pushed a bit too hard," he admits, "I killed the front left so I was happy to bring the podium home."
Asked about his start, he says: "I had a good launch, managed to get alongside and in the first corner tried to stay alongside as much as possible. I was really happy to stick that!"
"That was quite a good race," adds Verstappen, "even though in the first two stints we were struggling with the tyres.
"We hung in there in the final stint, and the tyres were better under lower fuel loads. That was the maximum we could have achieved today."
"It is amazing to be back on the top step," says Russell, after claiming his first win since Las Vegas, anmd Mercedes first win of the year. "I felt last year was a victory lost, so to get the victory and see Kimi on the podium too is an amazing day for the team.
"I think the strength of our car is in the cooler conditions so let's see in the coming races, but let's enjoy this for now. A good, good day!"
"We never want to see a McLaren involved in an accident," says Andrea Stella, "and definitely we never want to see the two McLarens touching each other.
"We need to review, as this is a clear principle, at the same time it is an incident from a misjudgement, Lando misjudged the distance to the car ahead and owned it immediately, which we appreciate.
"Our drivers will learn, and we go racing again. It is a misjudgement that cost Lando quite a lot in the championship."
How ironic that the incident the Sky team has been positively salivating over never came about, and that instead it is their 'golden boy' who has come to grief.
Disastrous for Norris' title hopes, today's result also benefits Verstappen, who, despite the goading from various sides, kept it nice and clean.
An entertaining race with battles throughout the field, and though not up to the standard of some of the epics we've seen here certainly had its moments.
With two weeks before the double-header of Austria and Britain, there will be much discussion, however whatever McLaren might have in mind in terms of containing its drivers excesses, the fact is - sad as it is to admit - that Norris just doesn't have it. To quote those Tag Heuer ads from back in the day, the Briton does crack under pressure, even if that pressure comes from within.