Max Verstappen and George Russell in racing suits with the Canadian flag and racetrack background behind them.

This year’s Canadian Grand Prix was one for the history books, complete with all the action that spectators have come to expect from the 2025 F1 season. Major milestones, maiden podiums, a jaw-dropping crash, and last-minute protests — all this excitement, all in one race. 

Here’s your full breakdown of all the twists and turns from the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. Discover the winners, highlights, and what to expect from the rest of the season.

The Canadian Grand Prix 2025: A Brief Overview

Held in Montréal, Canada, the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix ran from 13–16 June 2025 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The qualifying race saw Mercedes’ George Russell emerge in P1, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. 

On race day, Russell managed to maintain a consistent lead despite Verstappen’s valiant efforts to claim the top spot. The drivers finished first and second, respectively. But Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli managed to overtake Piastri, claiming third position.

Highlights, Upsets & More

From heart-stopping crashes to historic milestones, the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was one to remember. Explore some of the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments that made this year’s race so special:

Russell’s First Win of the F1 Season 2025

As if winning the Canadian Grand Prix wasn’t thrilling enough, George Russell’s victory was especially meaningful as it marked his first win of the F1 Season 2025. Russell’s win also represented a special milestone for his team as it marked Mercedes’ 130th Grand Prix win.

According to the British driver, his victory in Canada marked the start of a new, brighter chapter in his career. 

“It feels a bit of a redemption compared to last year because I was really disappointed with my performance last year,” he said. “But I’m in a different place right now, and I feel like I’m driving better than ever. I felt pretty chilled throughout the whole race.”

Antonelli’s Maiden Podium

With his third-place finish, Kimi Antonelli achieved a momentous feat for any F1 driver: his first-ever podium. But the accomplishment isn’t historic for Antonelli alone — it’s a major moment in the sport’s history. At 18 years and 294 days old, he is now the third-youngest driver to ever stand upon an F1 podium, behind Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll. 

“[The race] was so stressful, but [I’m] super happy. At the start, I managed to jump into P3 and I just stayed up there at the front,” said Antonelli. 

George Russell smiling on the podium in racing gear as champagne sprays around him after a Grand Prix win.

McLaren’s Near-Catastrophic Crash

By the 66th lap, the rivalry between McLaren’s two drivers — ranked first and second in the World Drivers’ Championship — was front and centre. With Oscar Piastri in fourth and Lando Norris close behind in fifth, the latter seized his opportunity to overtake his teammate. In a nail-biting display, the two went wheel-to-wheel for the entire stretch leading to the course’s final chicane.

While the battle was exhilarating for spectators, it took a turn for the worse. In an attempt to overtake Piastri on Turn 1 of Lap 67, Norris hit the rear of Piastri’s vehicle. The collision sent Norris’ front wing flying, ultimately forcing him to retire from the race with only four laps remaining.

Norris immediately took full responsibility for the incident, saying over his team radio: “I’m sorry. It’s all my bad. All my fault. Unlucky, sorry. Stupid from me.”

Although it was a heartbreaking turn of events for Norris, it wasn’t as disastrous as it could have been for McLaren. Piastri’s vehicle was largely unaffected, permitting him to finish in fourth place and score points for his team. 

Red Bull’s Protest Rejected

Russell’s victory didn’t bode well with the Red Bull team, who lodged a complaint against the Mercedes driver following the race. Red Bull alleged that Russell displayed erratic driving and unsportsmanlike intent against Verstappen when the safety car was deployed to remove Lando Norris’ car from the track.

Although the F1 stewards took over five hours to deliberate, both accusations were rejected and Russell retained his victory.

F1 Results: The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix Final Standings

Now that you’re up to speed on all the drama, here are the complete F1 results from the exhilarating race at a glance:

  1. George Russell – Mercedes
  2. Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
  3. Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
  4. Oscar Piastri – McLaren
  5. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
  6. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
  7. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
  8. Nico Hülkenberg – Kick Sauber
  9. Esteban Ocon – Haas
  10. Carlos Sainz Jr – Williams
  11. Oliver Bearman – Haas
  12. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull Racing
  13. Franco Colapinto – Alpine
  14. Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber
  15. Pierre Gasly – Alpine
  16. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
  17. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
  18. Lando Norris – McLaren (DNF)
  19. Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls (DNF)
  20. Alex Albon – Williams (DNF)
Formula 1 cars racing past grandstands and green Rolex signs at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

What’s Happened Since the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix

Despite McLaren’s drivers not gracing the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, both managed to retain their positions in the World Drivers’ Championship. Oscar Piastri — who is quickly cementing his position as one of Australia’s best F1 drivers in history — was still leading, with Lando Norris in second place. Third place remained in the possession of Max Verstappen, while George Russell clung to fourth place.

In the weeks and races since the Canadian Grand Prix, the World Drivers’ Championship has seen no change in its rankings. However, Norris is slowly but surely closing the gap to his Aussie teammate, thanks to his victories at the Austrian and British Grand Prixs. 

Red Bull experienced disappointment at both races, with Max Verstappen not finishing the Austrian Grand Prix and placing fifth at the British Grand Prix. Following the removal of longtime manager Christian Horner, the team’s future is now more uncertain than ever. Will the shakeup reinvigorate the team and redirect Verstappen towards victory? Or is it too late to catch up to the McLarens?

The rest of the F1 season 2025 is also uncertain for the Canadian Grand Prix victor, whose performance has declined in the subsequent races. Russell placed fifth at the Austrian Grand Prix and 10th at his home race in the UK. 

From Montréal to the Finish Line: The Battle Continues

If the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix proved anything, it’s that any driver has the power to make an impact in this F1 season. With 12 races still remaining, there’s plenty of opportunity for more underdog wins, shocking missteps, and blood-pumping drama. To stay on top of it all, keep your eyes peeled for further updates here at Ignition Australia.