FORMULA 1

Kimi Antonelli Describes Intense Fight With Russell

May 25, 2026
Kimi Antonelli Describes Intense Fight With Russell

Kimi Antonelli delivered a stunning victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, continuing his remarkable start to life in Formula 1. The 19-year-old Italian became the first driver in the history of the championship to win his opening four races consecutively, further cementing his status as one of the standout revelations of the season.

Throughout the race, Antonelli’s main challenger was George Russell. The British driver displayed impressive pace and appeared to be a strong favourite for victory; however, on lap 29, his Mercedes suffered a major technical issue. As a result, fans were denied what could have become one of the most thrilling intra-team battles of the season.

Following the race, Antonelli admitted that the fight with Russell had been extremely intense and conducted right on the limit. Strong gusts of wind created additional difficulties, particularly through Turn 10, where both drivers made several braking errors. Despite the pressure, the battle remained fair while also delivering spectacular racing.

After Russell’s retirement, Antonelli shifted his focus toward tyre management. Severe graining on the front-left tyre caused intermittent losses of grip, making the closing stages particularly challenging. Nevertheless, the Italian was able to regain competitive pace in the final laps and confidently secure another victory.

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