Russell wins sprint after heated duel with Antonelli - who flips out

A near-collision between teammates and angry radio calls: the third sprint race of the year offered plenty of spectacle. In the end, George Russell, who started from pole position and had already won the Grand Prix in Montreal a year ago, came out on top just ahead of world champion Lando Norris in the McLaren. World championship leader Antonelli had to settle for third place after a tough wheel-to-wheel duel with Russell. The young Italian now leads the championship standings by 18 points from Russell.

Mercedes was the dominant team in the first few months of the 2026 World Championship season. On the fifth race weekend, the team-internal duel between the two "Silver Arrows" reached its climax for the time being. The two team-mates almost collided on the 6th of 23 laps.

Antonelli attempted an overtaking maneuver after the start-finish straight, but had to swerve onto the grass against the fiercely defending Russell. Shortly afterwards, the 19-year-old went off track again during another attack. What followed were angry radio messages.

Mercedes' team boss mediates

"He pushed me out," complained Antonelli, who fell behind Norris after his over-motivated maneuver. "There has to be a penalty for that," demanded the teenager, looking at his team-mate. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had to intervene to calm him down. "Kimi, concentrate on driving and not on complaining on the radio," said the Austrian.

As a result, Russell, Norris and Antonelli completed their laps on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a small gap between them. Russell remained faultless at the front and took his second sprint win of the season with aplomb. Behind him, Antonelli failed to overtake Norris in another attempt.

Qualifying on Saturday evening

Oscar Piastri finished fourth in the second McLaren ahead of the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen in the Red Bull did not make it past 7th place. Qualifying (22:00) for Sunday's Grand Prix (22:00) is scheduled for late Saturday evening in Montreal.