In a sensational display at the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell has proclaimed that he feels he is “driving better than ever,” after clinching his first victory of the 2025 season. This triumph, which took place on June 16, 2025, saw Russell starting from the pole position. He effectively held off challenges, particularly from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and showcased an impressive command of the race from start to finish.
Russell’s exceptionally executed race resulted in his first win since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, marking this as his fifth podium appearance of the current season. Following a collision involving McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Red Bull filed a protest against Russell, alleging erratic driving during the safety car period. However, the stewards deemed the protest unfounded and rejected it, allowing Russell to celebrate his victory without further encumbrances.
At 27 years old, Russell has been a staple with the Mercedes team since the 2022 season, further solidifying his status among F1 veterans. Reflecting on his performance in the previous year’s Canadian Grand Prix, where he started in the same pole position but finished third, Russell expressed a sense of redemption with this latest success. He recounted, “It feels a bit of a redemption compared to last year because I was really disappointed with my performance last year and we should have won.”
This latest victory is significant not only for Russell but also for his team, as it bolsters the group’s confidence going forward. While discussing his driving performance during the race, he noted, “I felt pretty chilled throughout the whole race.” His maturity and readiness on the track have been notable and are echoed in the support from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Wolff hinted at impending contract talks, emphasizing that the team shares a positive atmosphere and is focused on future developments.
Meanwhile, the triumph wasn’t solely attributed to Russell’s efforts. His Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, also made headlines by securing third place, an achievement that marks his first podium finish in Formula 1. At the age of 18 years and 294 days, Antonelli became the third-youngest driver to ever finish on the podium. This feat is a promising indicator of the young talent emerging within the sport. Antonelli’s post-race remarks highlighted the pressure he faced but ended with optimism: “This track has been good for us and the car has been incredible all weekend. Hopefully, we can carry the same momentum into the next few races.”
Looking ahead, Russell projected a realistic assessment regarding the future races, noting the upcoming challenge that the Red Bull Ring in Austria will present. “It’s going to be on old tarmac, more high-speed corners and it’s going to be hot as well,” he remarked. While celebrating their strong showing in Canada, he was measured in his optimism, acknowledging, “I’m not going to sit here and say Mercedes is back because we were the quickest team here last year but we didn’t win the championship. We know where we need to improve.”
The Canadian Grand Prix not only highlighted the prowess of Russell but also the emerging talents in the sport, reinforcing the competitive spirit of Formula 1. This thrilling race exemplifies how victories can be seen not just in terms of wins alone but also in the growth and potential of the drivers—the old guard and the new alike. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how both Russell and Antonelli build on their success in subsequent races.