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MONTREAL — Mercedes driver George Russell claimed a commanding victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, securing his first win since last November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix and his fifth podium finish of the season. Starting from pole position, Russell fended off strong pressure from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to take the checkered flag at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The win marked a moment of redemption for the 27-year-old Briton, who had also started from pole in Montreal the previous year but finished third after a series of costly errors. Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Russell said, “It feels like redemption after last year’s disappointment. I made mistakes that cost us the win then, but I’m in a much better place now. I feel like I’m driving better than ever and stayed calm throughout the race.”

Red Bull Protest Rejected

Post-race drama emerged after Red Bull Racing lodged a formal protest, alleging that Russell had driven erratically during a safety car period. The caution followed a collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, which temporarily neutralised the race. Red Bull argued that Russell’s driving behind the safety car posed a safety risk and disrupted race flow.

However, race stewards swiftly reviewed the footage and dismissed the protest, confirming that Russell’s actions were within the rules. The rejection allowed the Mercedes team to celebrate a well-earned victory without penalty.

Title Hopes Remain Slim

Despite the win, Russell remains fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, currently 62 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. Verstappen, in third, maintains a 19-point lead over Russell. Russell acknowledged that catching the leading McLaren drivers will be an uphill battle.

“It’s surprising that Max and I are this close in points considering McLaren clearly have the strongest car,” Russell admitted. “I doubt they’ll keep losing points like this — but we can hope.”

Contract Talks Ongoing

Russell’s future with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team also came under spotlight during the weekend. Having joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, his current contract is set to expire at the end of this season. However, team principal Toto Wolff offered reassurances that renewal talks are progressing.

“The team environment is fantastic,” Wolff told reporters. “We’ve set a timeline for settling everything, especially once the busy June and July race schedule settles down. We’ll get it done.”

Looking Ahead

With the championship battle heating up, Mercedes will hope Russell’s win signals a turning point in their 2025 campaign. As Formula 1 moves into a packed summer calendar, all eyes will be on whether Russell can maintain this momentum and close the gap to the frontrunners — or whether McLaren’s early-season dominance will prove insurmountable.