Russell jubilant after hard-fought victory in Canada

Mercedes enjoyed their most successful weekend of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, with George Russell converting his pole position into a commanding victory ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. This marked a significant turnaround for the Brackley outfit, who have struggled for consistent frontrunner pace throughout the year. The cooler temperatures and smooth track surface in Montreal proved to be perfectly suited to the Mercedes W15, allowing Russell to secure his first pole and win of the season. He expertly controlled the race from start to finish, executing a two-stop strategy and fending off persistent pressure from Verstappen throughout the 70 laps. While Oscar Piastri had hoped for a stronger challenge, he ultimately settled for P4 after being overtaken by Antonelli on the opening lap. The race concluded under Safety Car conditions due to a late collision between Piastri and Lando Norris, which ultimately cemented Russell's hard-fought victory. This 1-3 finish in Canada solidifies Mercedes' second-place standing in the Constructors' Championship. Despite the triumph, Russell expressed cautious optimism about carrying this momentum into the upcoming European races, acknowledging that the car's strength might be more evident in cooler conditions.