George Russell triumphs in Montreal – Eklat at McLaren
Resurrection for Mercedes, Super-Gau for McLaren: George Russell won the first win of the season for the silver arrows in Canada, while the World Champion team in Papaya experienced the first big bang in the World Cup duel. Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris came too close in the narrow position battle, four laps before the end it crashed, Norris left – and fell back behind Piatri in the race for the title. « My fault, sorry, people, » the Englishman sparked on the box right after the crash.
Remarkable above all: The two McLaren stars had nothing to do with the victory in Montreal, fought so intensely for fourth place, which ultimately went to Piatri. Russell flew in front from the pole position to victory in the silver arrow and left world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. In third place, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli celebrated his first podium in Formula 1 in the second Mercedes. The actually favorite McLaren remained a surprising pale on the Circuit Gilles-Eachve-for the first time this year no driver of the papaya team was allowed to inject champagne.
It’s great to stand at the top again, the last time was a long time ago.
George Russell
With his victory, Russell also broke through the dominance of Red Bull Star Verstappen and McLaren in the tenth season race. Previously, only they had won, Russell rewarded himself in the shade of the three for his strong year. With regard to his future, his fourth career win is gold, his contract at Mercedes has been running out at the end of the season. « It’s great to stand at the top, the last time was a long time ago, » said Russell, « but I don’t want to fuel too many hopes. Our car works well in these cooler conditions. We enjoy the time, the time will show how it goes on. »
In the fight for the World Cup tip, Norris, however, missed an impact goal, the contact with Piatri throws him back: the leader from Australia now has 22 points ahead.
Tricky first curve
The focus was above all the duel in the first series of start between Russell and Verstappen. « The first curve becomes tricky and crucial, but it’s a long race, » said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko at Sky. However, he did not see the risk of a new scandal between his protégé and the silver arrow pilot. « Max should not be provoked and drive his race. I think nothing will happen, » said the Austrian.
Lando Norris could not finish the race. Photo: AFP
When the start -up tamp gone out, Marko should be right. Russell got away best, Verstappen could not be dangerous. Behind it, Piatri lost third place to Antonelli after a few curves. But after a while Verstappen sparkled with his tires with an increasingly bad feeling.
A pit stop became inevitable, Antonelli already put a lot of pressure behind him. Racensell followed a short time later and stayed in front. Antonelli also followed up immediately. Norris and Leclerc took over the top at the front-both had started with hard tires and possibly pokered on a one-stop strategy. But Russell and Verstappen steadily rustled up from behind, the tire changes from Leclerc and Norris followed.
Attractive competition: it doesn’t always have to be Formula 1
The Mercedes driver Russell began to expand his lead over the champion around the racing half. Until then, the race was unusually unobtrusive for the McLaren. Russell took the lead again 15 laps before the end. After their last stops, Norris and Piatri blew again to attack the podium – and ultimately drove each other into the cars.
