Norris and Piastri crash poses a question for McLaren
It was inevitable, wasn’t it?
Zak Brown had predicted it — saying it was bound to happen eventually — and it did in Canada. When team-mates are both in the title fight, it’s a recipe for controversy — and, yes, collisions.
The bigger problem for McLaren is that Max Verstappen scored solid points in Montreal, closing the gap to at least Norris in the standings.
What matters most now is how McLaren handles the situation. It’s certain to dominate the narrative over the coming weeks.
- Oleg Karpov
Russell delivers a timely reminder for Wolff
George Russell’s victory in Montreal will have given Mercedes boss Toto Wolff something to reflect on.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Russell delivered a standout performance — securing pole on Saturday and backing it up with a controlled drive to victory on Sunday.
While a title challenge this year remains unlikely, he has consistently taken podiums when the opportunity has presented itself, and fully capitalised in Canada to secure the win.
Speculation around Wolff targeting Max Verstappen has cooled in recent weeks — but perhaps he doesn’t need the Dutchman after all, provided Mercedes can deliver a car capable of fighting at the front regularly.
Russell has stepped up as team leader following Lewis Hamilton’s departure. His confidence has grown, and now the results are starting to follow.
- Ben Hunt
McLaren is still fastest, but not dominant everywhere
The Canadian Grand Prix was only the third race this year not won by a driver in papaya. That statistic reveals two things: first, the MCL39 remains a well-balanced and competitive all-round package; second, it’s not dominant everywhere. If there are any weaknesses in McLaren’s 2024 challenger, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve helped expose them.
It began with a messy Friday, with both drivers seemingly not fully convinced by the new front suspension. Saturday brought another challenge: the McLaren is quick, but it’s not the easiest car to string a clean lap together in. That’s especially true in Montreal, where drivers have to attack the kerbs and need total confidence in the car — something Lando Norris alluded to on Saturday evening.
On Sunday, McLaren's race pace was slightly better than the competition, as long-run data had indicated, but not enough to fight for the win.
The conclusion from the weekend is straightforward: yes, McLaren still has the car to beat, but it won’t dominate at every venue. On a track where graining plays a bigger role than other forms of rear tyre degradation, and where predictability over one lap is key, McLaren didn’t quite have the edge.
That’s good news for neutral fans — three (and ideally four) top teams in close contention remains the best possible scenario for the championship.
- Ronald Vording
Antonelli gets a podium and a confidence boost
The recent triple-header posed challenges for the Mercedes rookie, but Canada marked a crucial step forward. Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered exactly what was needed: a clean, mistake-free weekend. A small misstep in qualifying — leaving himself without a fresh set of tyres for Q3 - likely cost him a better starting position, but he still secured P4 on the grid and gained a spot at the start.
Mercedes showed strong pace in Montreal, and Antonelli’s performance arrived at just the right moment. To be in podium contention on merit is a timely reminder of why Toto Wolff has put his faith in the 18-year-old Italian.
Delivering that podium under pressure from the championship leader only strengthens the case for his rapid rise.
- Oleg Karpov
No heroic comeback for Stroll in Canada
Lance Stroll returned to the cockpit of the Aston Martin AMR25 at his home race in Montreal, after sitting out the Spanish Grand Prix due to recurring pain in his right hand — lingering from a cycling accident two years ago.
But his comeback at the Canadian Grand Prix was far from memorable. While teammate Fernando Alonso reached Q3 on Saturday and scored points on Sunday, Stroll never came close to matching that level of performance.
He was eliminated in Q1, qualifying 18th, and finished last in the race, never factoring into the competition.
- Federico Faturos
