George Russell won the sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix, but only after a heated on-track clash with Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The pair battled for the lead, and Antonelli demanded a penalty against Russell. Team principal Toto Wolff intervened, telling Antonelli to “stop the radio moaning.”
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The incident cost Mercedes a likely one-two finish. Antonelli finished third behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, while Russell closed the championship gap to 18 points.
On lap six at turn one, Antonelli attempted a pass but brushed against Russell. Russell held his line, forcing Antonelli off track.
The 19-year-old immediately called for a penalty.
“That should be a penalty, I was alongside the mirror,” Antonelli said over the radio.
He believed he had earned the position, but Russell felt he simply held his line.
Later, Antonelli pushed too hard at the chicane, went off on grass, and lost second place to Norris.
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He admitted the error but remained frustrated. “I don't care he pushed me off!”
he responded when his engineer urged calm.
Wolff compared the tension to the 2014 rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. He insisted the matter would be discussed privately.
Aftermath and Championship Standings
After the race, Antonelli said, “I tried to make my move, I need to review it, because I was quite well alongside and I got pushed off.”
Russell simply called it “a good battle.”
Russell had a strong start from pole and held off Norris to win. The victory was a needed boost after Antonelli won the previous three races.
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Oscar Piastri finished fourth, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton fifth and sixth, Max Verstappen seventh, and Arvid Lindblad eighth.
