Formula 1 handed out its first points of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal with an intriguing Sprint race that featured Mercedes team tension, McLaren pressure, and Ferrari attempting to prove it could remain competitive on a circuit that appeared less naturally suited to the SF-26.
Before the lights went out, conditions were relatively warm and stable. Air temperature at the start was 26°C, while track temperature reached 35°C. Humidity stood at 73%, with a light westerly wind of 0.5 m/s. For the occasion, Pirelli supplied the C3 Hard, C4 Medium, and C5 Soft compounds.
Canadian GP Sprint race 2026: race summary
Looking first at the tyre choices for the 23-lap Sprint, nearly the entire top ten opted for the Medium compound, with Arvid Lindblad the only exception, starting on the Hard tyre.
At the start, both Mercedes drivers held position at the front, while Lewis Hamilton made an excellent getaway and immediately gained a place. The race itself did not produce constant wheel-to-wheel action, but the internal Mercedes battle provided plenty of intrigue.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli launched his first serious attack on George Russell on lap six, but the Mercedes race leader defended firmly and forced his teammate wide. Shortly afterwards, the Italian tried again, but ran deep into the corner, opening the door for Lando Norris to move into second place.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli complained over team radio about what he considered overly aggressive defending from his teammate, but race control chose not to intervene.
In the closing stages, Lando Norris began to pressure George Russell for the lead, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli stayed close behind the McLaren driver, keeping the podium fight alive. The young Mercedes driver made another attempt into Turn 1 but again ran wide, ending his chances of reclaiming second.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s race became increasingly difficult in the final laps. Lewis Hamilton suffered a dramatic drop in pace due to tyre struggles and was overtaken twice on the final lap, turning what had looked like a stronger result into a disappointing sixth-place finish, behind his Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc.
Tensions also appeared to rise within Mercedes, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli expressing frustration over team radio before reportedly receiving a stern response from team principal Toto Wolff.
F1 Canadian GP Sprint race results
1. George Russell
2. Lando Norris
3. Andrea Kimi Antonelli
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Max Verstappen
8. Arvid Lindblad
9. Franco Colapinto
10. Carlos Sainz
11. Sergio Perez
12. Liam Lawson
13. Gabriel Bortoleto
14. Nico Hulkenberg
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Lance Stroll
17. Valtteri Bottas
18. Oliver Bearman
19. Alexander Albon
20. Pierre Gasly
21. Isack Hadjar
22. Fernando Alonso
