Can Russell Halt Antonelli’s F1 Title Momentum? Here’s How To Watch The Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 15: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) Getty Images Formula 1 heads to Montreal, Canada, this weekend for the fifth round of the 2026 season and the third sprint event from May 22-24. Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli arrives on the Notre Dame island leading the world championship with 100 points to his name.

The Italian driver secured victory last time out in Miami, completing a hat-trick of wins and opening up a 20-point advantage over his teammate and closest title rival George Russell. At just 19 years old, Antonelli made history in Florida as the first-ever driver to turn his first three pole positions into race victories. He also joined the ranks of world champions Damon Hill and Mika Häkkinen as only the third driver in history to secure his first three career victories at consecutive grands prix.

Heading to Montreal this weekend, Antonelli is looking to further stretch his gap at the top, but things won’t be easy as he is expected to face a tough challenge from Russell, who will be keen to respond and replicate last year’s triumph at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Russell was the early championship favorite, having started his campaign strong with a victory in the season opener in Melbourne. It has since been Antonelli’s show however, with Russell managing only that one race victory compared to the Italian’s three.

Now as the championship arrives at a circuit that suits him well, Russell has a good chance to chip away at the 20-point gap and put some pressure on his teammate at the top. FORBES | By Yara Elshebiny Kimi Antonelli Extends Title Lead With A Historic Win In Miami. Here Are The Updated F1 Standings Aside from Mercedes’ intra-team battle, McLaren will also be on the hunt for their first grand prix win of the season this weekend after coming close in Miami, having secured second and third through Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri thanks to new upgrades that brought them much closer to the front.