Russell wins Canada GP sprint race; Antonelli off track three times
George Russell withstood two attacks from Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to win the Canadian Grand Prix sprint race from pole on Saturday. Russell prevailed in Montreal ahead of world champion Lando Norris of McLaren and Antonelli for his second sprint win of the Formula One season. Antonelli was forced off the track in both of his attacks against Russell in lap six and again in the penultimate lap when he tried to reclaim second from Norris.
He was fuming via team radio and had to be told twice by team principal Toto Wolff to calm down, and the two drivers briefly shook hands briefly post-race. "It was a tough battle to be fair. We were all there in terms of pace.
It was not easy. I tried to make my move but I need to review on that because I was well alongside and got pushed off. It is what it is," Antonelli said of the first incident.
"Then I made a mistake into Turn 8 because I took a big bump, locked up then I compromised my race from there but it was a good battle. " Russell said: "It was a good battle with Kimi. I'm glad we are both standing here after the race.
It was a cool race, very difficult to get a gap around here. " Wolff later told Sky TV of a "learning experience," saying: "We have to rein it in all together at an earlier stage and not complain in public. " Antonelli retained the championship lead, dropping only two points on Russell and ahead by 18 points.