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Mercedes driver George Russell became the fourth different driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix this season after executing a perfect performance at the Canadian Grand Prix.

George Russell took pole position on Saturday with a magnificent lap that he admitted gave him ‘goosebumps’.

He held off Max Verstappen who started alongside him on the front row, with McLaren having their worst race weekend of the season.

Lewis Hamilton had more complaints to deal with in his Ferrari after suffering from several technical issues, but at least he finished the race.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided for the first time, with the British driver immediately taking responsibility on the team radio and coming off far worse than his teammate who extended his lead in the drivers’ championship.

For the first time this season, Mercedes were able to celebrate two drivers on the podium with Andrea Kimi Antonelli securing his first top-three finish of his Formula 1 career.

Russell drew comparisons to Niki Lauda in qualifying and while he’s unlikely to be in contention for the championship this year, he’s demonstrated that he’s among the fastest drivers on the grid with his performances throughout 2025.

Verstappen and Russell haven’t always seen eye to eye, but the four-time world champion was quick to praise his rival at the conclusion of the race in Montreal.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Max Verstappen praises George Russell’s race start at the Canadian Grand Prix

Russell, Verstappen and Antonelli were chatting in the cooldown room at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix.

It wasn’t the most eventful race, but one of the highlights shown on the screen was the race start.

Russell and Verstappen held their position, while Antonelli got the better of Piastri which ultimately earned him his first Formula 1 podium.

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Talking about the race, Russell said: “The grip was quite nice out there, once you got out into the clear air.”

Verstappen replied: “You had a really good start! Once you’re just by yourself, it was really good. But when you’re following closely it’s tricky.”

Russell then asked: “Were you managing much in [turn] five?”

Verstappen responded and said: “Yeah, but you were doing that as well,” to which Russell replied, “Yeah, I didn’t go through flat once in five.”

George Russell still waiting for 2026 Formula 1 contract amid Mercedes interest

Russell technically only has 14 race weekends remaining until he’s a free agent in the F1 market.

Both Antonelli and Russell are out of contract at the end of 2025 but it’s hard to see either of them missing out on a race seat for next season.

Mercedes have shown an interest in Verstappen but it’s yet to be seen whether he will decide to try and break his Red Bull contract which runs until 2028.

Verstappen and Russell functioning in the same team together has seemed like a very unlikely prospect ever since they clashed at last season’s Qatar Grand Prix.

The pair collided again at the previous race in Spain which led to Verstappen being penalised, although his comments on Sunday suggest that their relationship isn’t as tense as expected.

However, Toto Wolff will need to decide which pairing he wants to move forward with and Antonelli is making an extremely strong case for a second year racing for the Silver Arrows.

Lando Norris’s Canadian Grand Prix Crash: A Pivotal Moment for McLaren’s Rising Star

The Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal was expected to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing battle for supremacy within McLaren’s driver lineup. Lando Norris, once heralded as McLaren’s shining star and future world champion, appeared poised to close the gap to teammate Oscar Piastri, who has been delivering a breakout season with four wins under his belt. Instead, what transpired on lap 67 of a tense, rain-threatened race was a self-inflicted blow that may alter not only Norris’s championship aspirations but also his standing within the team.

The Incident: A Costly Mistake Under Pressure

With only a handful of corners remaining, Norris found himself right on the gearbox of Piastri. The Australian was skillfully defending against the challenge from Mercedes rookie Kimmy Antonelli, while simultaneously being hunted by Norris. In a high-pressure moment, Norris attempted a daring inside overtake. Instead of a clean pass, the move resulted in Norris clipping the rear left of Piastri’s car. The contact sheared off Norris’s front wing, sending him careening into the barriers and ending his race immediately.

Piastri remarkably escaped with no damage and held on to finish fourth, salvaging crucial points. The crash, however, ended what could have been a historic double McLaren podium and instead left Norris with a DNF, a broken car, and a shattered front wing. This incident, as McLaren CEO Zack Brown acknowledged, was a self-inflicted wound in a race where the team had much to gain.

Taking Responsibility

What stood out in the aftermath was Norris’s immediate acceptance of responsibility. Over team radio, he admitted, “It’s all my bad, all my fault. Unlucky, sorry, stupid from me.” In the media pen, he expressed remorse, apologizing not only to his team but also personally to Piastri. “No one to blame but myself,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports F1.

Oscar Piastri, maintaining his composed demeanor, responded with grace, simply stating, “No, it’s fine. I ended up all right.” The professionalism and sportsmanship displayed by both drivers underlined the high stakes and intense pressures these young talents face.

The Bigger Picture: Championship Implications and Team Dynamics

Before Canada, Norris had been steadily narrowing the points gap to Piastri in the drivers’ championship, making their intra-team rivalry one of the most compelling storylines this season. However, the DNF allowed Piastri to stretch his lead to 22 points after 10 of 24 races — a substantial margin given the tight competition at the top.

This race was also McLaren’s first failure to reach the podium in eight consecutive races, marking a setback in what has otherwise been a resurgence for the team. With the Austrian Grand Prix looming, the team faces a critical juncture to rebound and regain momentum.

Norris: Talent, Promise, and Past Challenges

Lando Norris has been widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, groomed by McLaren since his junior racing days and considered a future world champion. His speed and raw talent are undeniable, but past seasons have highlighted a troubling pattern of faltering in crucial moments. Last year’s tendency to lose pole position at turn one and now the costly error in Canada raise questions about his consistency under pressure.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri’s meteoric rise — demonstrated by four wins and his ability to handle pressure — contrasts with Norris’s recent struggles. This divergence in form has started to reshape the internal power dynamics within McLaren.

The Debate Over Team Orders and Rivalries

McLaren has allowed Norris and Piastri considerable freedom to race each other, a policy praised for encouraging competitiveness but now scrutinized after the collision. While Piastri has remained calm and measured, the potential for future intra-team clashes looms large.

Zack Brown and team principal Andrea Stella face a tough decision: maintain their open racing philosophy or impose stricter team orders to protect championship goals. The balance between fostering healthy rivalry and safeguarding team interests will be critical moving forward.

Mental Game: The Psychological Pressure of Formula 1

Formula 1 is as much a mental battle as a physical and technical one. Each mistake compounds the pressure drivers face, and Norris now finds himself at a crossroads. With Piastri leading not just in points but in poise and racecraft, Norris’s response to this setback will define the remainder of his season — and potentially his career trajectory.

The Austrian Grand Prix, with expected upgrades to McLaren’s car and a challenging calendar ahead (including two triple-header race weekends), offers little room for error. Norris must demonstrate resilience, mental toughness, and refined racecraft if he hopes to revive his title challenge.

A Call for Perspective

While the crash in Canada was costly and embarrassing, it should not overshadow Norris’s skill and consistency this season. Mistakes happen in racing — a sport defined by razor-thin margins between brilliance and disaster. Norris’s immediate admission of fault and sincere apologies are marks of character in a sport where ego often clouds accountability.

Criticism is fair, but labeling Norris as mentally weak or suggesting McLaren should exclusively back Piastri is premature. Norris remains a top-tier talent whose fire and determination could fuel a comeback.

What Lies Ahead for Norris and McLaren?

The Canadian incident may yet prove a turning point rather than a downfall. Norris has the machinery, the fanbase, and the talent to bounce back, but he must learn quickly and avoid repeating costly errors. The next few races will be critical tests of his ability to regroup and perform under pressure.

For McLaren, the focus will be on managing their driver dynamic carefully, balancing the hunger and ambition of both Norris and Piastri, and ensuring the team maximizes its championship potential.

Conclusion

Lando Norris’s self-destructive crash at the Canadian Grand Prix was a sobering reminder of the fine line between glory and disappointment in Formula 1. It exposed cracks in his racecraft at a pivotal moment and handed a strategic advantage to teammate Oscar Piastri. Yet, Norris’s willingness to own the mistake and his evident remorse offer hope that he can learn and return stronger.

As the season unfolds, the question remains: Can Lando Norris reclaim his title ambitions and reassert himself as McLaren’s leading force? Or has the rise of Oscar Piastri marked a new era within the team, shifting the balance of power permanently?

The upcoming Austrian Grand Prix will be the first chapter of this next phase — a critical opportunity for Norris to prove that Canada was an anomaly and not a harbinger of decline. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as McLaren’s future hangs in the balance.

Full Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfljOUePBIY

Mercedes driver George Russell pulled off something for the very first time in his Formula 1 career at the Canadian Grand Prix.

George Russell has six Formula 1 pole positions to his name but the Canadian Grand Prix is the first circuit where he’s achieved that feat more than once.

Last year, Russell set an identical time to Red Bull star Max Verstappen but this time around he produced an unbelievable performance to open up a 0.160s lead over the Dutchman.

Russell joked about Verstappen’s penalty points during his post-race interview and while he doesn’t expect the four-time world champion to change his driving approach on Sunday, Red Bull’s number one driver will understand how at risk he is to picking up a one-race ban.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is starting on the second row, with Lando Norris struggling during qualifying and having to settle for P7.

Russell was magnificent and admitted after qualifying that it’s the only lap he can remember during his career that’s given him goosebumps.

Nico Rosberg was speaking to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after the session and explained why the British driver suddenly reminded him of the great Ayrton Senna.

Photo by Stefano Facchin/Alessio Morgese /NurPhoto via Getty Images

Nico Rosberg compares George Russell’s ‘tunnel vision’ to Ayrton Senna at the Canadian Grand Prix

Wolff was being interviewed on Sky Sports F1 after the session and said: “We were so I think competitive in the free practice sessions that I think we were almost a bit surprised that at the beginning of qualifying, it wasn’t coming easy.

“And then on the last two runs, also on the soft tyres it just kept coming, and then on the medium, you could see that as a driver, you almost come into this buzz within yourself that the time was going quicker and quicker, and so it was a mega lap.”

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Rosberg replied and said: “The Ayrton Senna tunnel vision, maybe? We need to speak to George afterwards.

“You’ve seen so many great pole positions, that looked like it’s one of those that is right up there.”

Wolff continued: “Yeah, [it was] right up there because if you look at the competitive field and Max on the medium as well and the McLarens and the Ferraris were strong, he was able to pull a lap off, I think he was the only one in the 1:10s.

“Very, very strong lap from him.”

Toto Wolff reserves praise for Andrea Kimi Antonelli after Canadian Grand Prix qualifying

Russell extracted the maximum out of his Mercedes during qualifying and all eyes are on whether he can convert his front row start into the fourth victory of his F1 career.

On the other side of the garage, Kimi Antonelli appeared to be struggling on his first visit to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

However, he found another level during Q3 and although he was half a second off his teammate, he did enough to qualify P4.

Antonelli suffered through a tricky triple header leading up to the Canadian Grand Prix, but speaking about his performance in qualifying, Wolff said: “Yeah, it was really good considering he was on the used mediums at the end, so he had a bit of a deficit.

“He will be angry about the gap to George, it’s 490 milliseconds, so that’s clear to racing drivers.

“But, he’s P4, he starts from the second row and I think that’s a really good position for tomorrow.”

Photo: © IMAGO

The FIA have announced that the Canadian Grand Prix stewards have summoned both McLaren F1 stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to visit them over an explosive moment in Sunday’s race.

Norris had been slowly closing up on team-mate and title rival Piastri in the final stages of the second North American race of the year, spending multiple laps in DRS range without being able to make a pass.

The Brit had closed right up to Piastri over the course of a full lap after a slight wobble out of Turn 2, but was unable to pass him down the long straight and into the final chicane.

Looking to use his DRS and position right behind his team-mate though, Norris tried to slip up the left-hand side of the sister papaya car, completely misjudging the move and running his front wing into the back of Piastri’s car to end his own race, and bring out a race-ending safety car.

Norris and Piastri both investigated over collision

Both drivers are set to visit the stewards at the same time on Sunday evening to answer questions about allegedly causing a collision. Yes, both of them, one each.

Of course, that panel of stewards has had a mid-weekend shakeup, with Derek Warwick suspended early in the race weekend and replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be contributing from Geneva.

Announcing the decision, the FIA said: “Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

“He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.

“After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.”

Photo: © IMAGO

The FIA have announced that the Canadian Grand Prix stewards have summoned both McLaren F1 stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to visit them over an explosive moment in Sunday’s race.

Norris had been slowly closing up on team-mate and title rival Piastri in the final stages of the second North American race of the year, spending multiple laps in DRS range without being able to make a pass.

The Brit had closed right up to Piastri over the course of a full lap after a slight wobble out of Turn 2, but was unable to pass him down the long straight and into the final chicane.

Looking to use his DRS and position right behind his team-mate though, Norris tried to slip up the left-hand side of the sister papaya car, completely misjudging the move and running his front wing into the back of Piastri’s car to end his own race, and bring out a race-ending safety car.

Norris and Piastri both investigated over collision

Both drivers are set to visit the stewards at the same time on Sunday evening to answer questions about allegedly causing a collision. Yes, both of them, one each.

Of course, that panel of stewards has had a mid-weekend shakeup, with Derek Warwick suspended early in the race weekend and replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be contributing from Geneva.

Announcing the decision, the FIA said: “Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

“He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.

“After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.”

Lewis Hamilton’s Telemetry Revelation at the Canadian GP: A Game-Changer for Ferrari

The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix has turned out to be far more than just another race weekend. Behind the scenes, a stunning revelation about Lewis Hamilton’s telemetry data has shaken the very foundation of Ferrari’s internal dynamics. What started as a technical analysis soon morphed into a narrative about leadership, adaptability, and a potential power shift inside one of Formula 1’s most storied teams.

A Weekend Marked by Adversity and Opportunity

Charles Leclerc entered Montreal as Ferrari’s undisputed number one. Riding a wave of recent podiums and undeniable pace, the young Monegasque was expected to continue his streak. But a crash in Free Practice 1 shattered more than just his chassis—it disrupted the entire weekend’s trajectory.

Leclerc’s accident forced a chassis rebuild and the replacement of the survival cell, ruling him out of FP2. Without this critical session, he lost vital long-run data, setup refinements, and tire preparation opportunities. From then on, Ferrari had to lean heavily on telemetry data and feedback from their other driver: Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton, relatively new to Ferrari in 2025, suddenly became the unexpected pillar of technical insight.

Telemetry Tells the Tale

Frederick Vaser, a key Ferrari engineer, has shared insights into what the telemetry from Hamilton revealed—insights that have reverberated through the team. The data did not just highlight raw speed. Instead, it illuminated Hamilton’s racecraft, technical mastery, and an uncanny ability to adapt the SF25 to its limits.

Qualifying data showed Hamilton braking later than Leclerc at nearly every major braking zone, including an impressive 3.5 meters later at Turn 6. Despite this aggressive approach, Hamilton maintained superior mid-corner stability. His cornering speeds through critical turns 7 and 8 were consistently higher—around 6 km/h faster—while using less steering input. This reduction in steering angle variability by over 11% lap-over-lap compared to Leclerc demonstrated Hamilton’s clean, linear driving style that preserved balance and composure through complex corners.

Vaser emphasized how Hamilton’s management of ERS deployment and energy recovery was equally impressive. A mapping originally intended for Leclerc was never tested due to his FP2 absence, but Hamilton adopted it immediately, extracting unexpected performance gains. Aggressive energy harvesting in sector 2 allowed Hamilton to deploy full boost down the back straight before the final chicane, trimming nearly three-tenths of a second from his sector time compared to Leclerc.

Tire Management: The Subtle Edge

Telemetry didn’t just reveal Hamilton’s technical finesse; it also highlighted his superior tire management. Leclerc struggled to maintain front-left tire temperatures in the optimal window, suffering a 7.5°C swing during sector transitions that caused instability in chicanes and slower exits in low-speed corners like Turn 10. Hamilton, by contrast, held a tight temperature delta of only 3°C across all sectors, maximizing grip without triggering understeer.

Beyond the Data: Adaptability in Action

Despite an underperforming DRS system—giving Ferrari only a 25 km/h top-speed advantage when open compared to over 40 km/h for rivals like Red Bull and Alpine—Hamilton adapted seamlessly. He even overcame the lack of a steering rack adjustment he had requested before the weekend, which was denied due to time constraints. Even without these ideal tools, Hamilton’s consistency in steering input and overall control surpassed Leclerc’s.

Hamilton himself remained calm and focused, crediting his performance to the data gathered on Friday and praising the team’s preparation. Leclerc, on the other hand, openly expressed frustration, describing a disconnected feeling during qualifying and inconsistent tire activation. While refusing to blame his FP2 absence entirely, it was clear his lack of track time hampered his ability to adjust.

The Shift in Ferrari’s Hierarchy

What makes this story truly compelling isn’t just the performance gap between the two drivers, but the broader implications inside Ferrari. Hamilton’s telemetry and feedback have become the baseline for the team’s setup decisions. From tire selection and ERS calibration to brake bias and aerodynamic balance, Hamilton’s input now shapes Ferrari’s race strategy and technical direction.

Inside the Ferrari garage, this has initiated a subtle but unmistakable shift. Engineers previously dedicated solely to Leclerc have started cross-referencing Hamilton’s data before finalizing setup choices. Strategy meetings open with Hamilton’s sector analyses, and team principal Frederick Vaser’s language has evolved—from supportive neutrality towards Leclerc to highlighting the importance of adaptability and consistent execution, qualities Hamilton has embodied all weekend.

Leclerc’s Challenge

For Leclerc, this weekend represents more than a lost session—it marks a pivotal moment in his relationship with Ferrari. Physically hampered by his crash and psychologically on the back foot, he faces the daunting task of reclaiming his technical authority and leadership within a team that now looks increasingly towards Hamilton.

His traditionally dominant position as Ferrari’s reference point has been challenged in a dramatic fashion. While the outward appearance of the garage remains united, the telemetry paints a different picture—one where Hamilton’s technical input and racecraft command greater trust and influence.

Why This Matters

Formula 1 isn’t just about speed; it’s about driven development, adaptability, and leadership. Ferrari’s 2025 season story is no longer solely about nurturing Leclerc’s raw talent. It now includes a veteran champion who can develop the car in real time and extract maximum performance, even under suboptimal conditions.

Hamilton’s adaptability is dangerous because it demonstrates he doesn’t need perfect conditions to shine—only trust, data, and a car that responds predictably. As Ferrari begins to provide that, Hamilton’s star within the team rises sharply.

What Comes Next?

As the Canadian Grand Prix grid forms up, all eyes will be on the race outcome—not just for points, but for what it symbolizes. A strong performance from Hamilton could confirm the telemetry’s story: that he is now the technical and performance benchmark at Maranello.

For Leclerc, the path forward is fraught. He must perform under pressure and reassert his place not just as a driver, but as a technical leader in a team evolving rapidly around someone else.

In the high-stakes, driven world of Formula 1, the telemetry doesn’t just tell us who’s fast—it tells us who the team believes in. And right now, that driver is Lewis Hamilton.

Full Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE-Z2oiFq4M

What If Max Verstappen Gets Banned? Red Bull’s Backup Plan Revealed

As the 2025 Formula 1 season enters a critical stage, all eyes are on Max Verstappen—and not for the reasons Red Bull Racing would prefer. The Dutch driver, three-time World Champion and centerpiece of Red Bull’s title ambitions, is sitting on a knife’s edge. With 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence—just one short of the 12-point threshold for an automatic one-race ban—his future hangs in the balance.

And the timing couldn’t be worse.

This weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is followed by the Austrian Grand Prix: Red Bull’s home race, a critical sponsorship and marketing focal point. One more infraction, one more incident in Montreal, and Verstappen could be forced to watch from the paddock instead of racing in front of his home crowd. That’s why Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner’s recent comments are more than PR spin—they’re a strategic warning and a sign of growing concern inside the Milton Keynes-based team.

The Red Line: Why 12 Points Matter

For those unfamiliar with the FIA penalty point system, drivers accumulate points for infractions ranging from impeding in qualifying to causing avoidable collisions. If a driver collects 12 points in any 12-month period, they automatically receive a one-race suspension.

Verstappen’s troubles escalated two weeks ago at the Spanish Grand Prix when he collided with George Russell, earning three more penalty points. That brought his total to 12—the dreaded red line.

Team insiders suggest that Red Bull has already begun intense lobbying with the FIA, hoping to avoid any further points in Montreal through legal nuances or clarification of racing incidents. But governing bodies have shown little flexibility in such matters in recent seasons, particularly where precedent and safety are involved.

Red Bull’s Contingency Pool: Five Candidates, One Seat

During an interview with Sky Sports F1, Horner acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and revealed the shortlist of potential replacements should Verstappen be sidelined. The names included:

Esteban Ocon – The experienced Alpine driver (and former Mercedes reserve) brings solid F1 credentials. However, contractual and loyalty complications could arise.

Oliver Bearman – A promising Red Bull junior, Bearman has only had limited FP1 outings and shows inconsistency under pressure.

Liam Lawson – A known entity within the team, Lawson previously filled in during the 2023 season but struggled with braking issues and RB’s setup.

Isack Hadjar – Unbeaten in F2 this season and highly rated within the Red Bull development pipeline. However, his current team views him as too critical to lose mid-season.

Arvid Lindblad – The youngest name on the list. At just 17, he recently earned a super licence, but Red Bull is cautious about throwing him into the fire so early.

Each candidate has strengths, but none offer what Verstappen brings to the table: experience, technical feedback, and unwavering race-day composure. Even Horner admitted, “We desperately want to avoid Max missing a race. But should it happen, we’ve got options.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters Beyond the Track

Missing Verstappen for even one race isn’t just a performance issue. It’s a strategic and commercial nightmare. Red Bull’s RB21 has already shown unexpected vulnerabilities—brake balance issues, corner exit instability, and setup inconsistencies have made every race a battle. Removing their top driver at a time when Ferrari and McLaren are inching closer in the championship fight could trigger a momentum collapse.

Let’s not forget the commercial side. The Austrian Grand Prix is Red Bull’s marketing tentpole. It’s more than a race—it’s a corporate festival of sponsorship activations, hospitality, branding, and global broadcasts. Red Bull Energy Drink, Infiniti Mobile, and other major partners plan their visibility strategies around Verstappen’s home appearance. His absence would undercut ROI, raise uncomfortable questions in boardrooms, and potentially affect future partnerships.

As one insider put it, “This isn’t just a sporting plan—it’s a corporate backup.”

Who’s Most Likely to Step In?

Among the shortlisted names, Ocon stands out for experience, but integrating a driver with minimal Red Bull car knowledge on short notice could create friction. Lawson, while familiar with Red Bull operations, has struggled to adapt to the RB21’s unique characteristics in simulator sessions.

Bearman’s simulator laps at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya showed inconsistencies, particularly in Turn 2 corner entry. While engineers praise his composure, the leap from F2 to a high-pressure F1 weekend is massive.

Isack Hadjar is arguably the strongest prospect in terms of raw pace. His F2 dominance this season hasn’t gone unnoticed, but team insiders worry that pulling him out mid-campaign could hurt both his trajectory and Red Bull’s long-term junior strategy.

Lindblad? His pace is real, and the super licence is in hand. But simulator logs from a virtual Austrian GP run showed two unsafe lock-ups—earning a virtual red flag. Risking him at the real Austrian GP may be too much, too soon.

Behind the Scenes: Red Bull’s Real Calculations

Red Bull’s technical team is already preparing for contingencies. Engineers have been running simulations with multiple drivers to understand performance drop-offs, adaptation curves, and telemetry compatibility. FP3 in Montreal may become one of the most scrutinized sessions of the year, as any infractions there could seal Verstappen’s fate.

Meanwhile, observers have spotted alternate helmets being prepped in the Red Bull garage, an indication that a stand-in may not be far-fetched.

Even Red Bull’s rivals are paying attention. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff stated this week, “Max is a one-off, but F1 has always had backups. Some are better than others.” Ferrari’s team principal remained tight-lipped but acknowledged that contingency moves affect the competitive landscape.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Penalty

Whether or not Verstappen picks up that 12th point in Montreal, the situation exposes deeper issues: Red Bull’s over-reliance on a single superstar, vulnerabilities in the RB21, and the immense pressure that top-tier teams face in the era of hyper-commercialized Formula 1.

For now, Verstappen remains the man in the cockpit. But the threat is real, and the consequences far-reaching. If a one-race ban becomes reality, it won’t just be a story of who replaces Max. It will be a story of how Red Bull responds to crisis under the brightest lights—and how the rest of the grid smells opportunity.

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Ferrari in Crisis: Canadian GP Meltdown Exposes Internal Chaos and Shattered Trust

The Canadian Grand Prix was meant to mark Ferrari’s return to form—a comeback showcase to silence critics, prove the SF-25’s competitiveness, and present a united front behind the superstar duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Instead, Montreal became a public implosion. It was a weekend not just defined by poor performance, but by a catastrophic unraveling of communication and leadership, now painfully evident through leaked team radio messages.

These transmissions—raw, frustrated, and at times almost desperate—have pulled the curtain back on a Ferrari team in turmoil. They didn’t just hint at miscommunication; they confirmed a complete breakdown in operational coherence, and worse, in trust between drivers and the pit wall.

Chaos Unleashed

From the moment lights went out at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, things spiraled. The chaos wasn’t confined to poor lap times or strategic gambles gone wrong—it was systemic, audible, and disturbingly public.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s high-profile acquisition and seven-time world champion, found himself lost in a fog of confusion. “Why is this car so slow?” he asked over team radio—a cry that sounded less like a tactical check and more like a plea for answers. Moments later came the more alarming, “Out of power, out of pace, boys,” followed by the exasperated, “Where have I lost 25 seconds?”

These were not rhetorical flourishes or dramatic exaggerations—they were signs of a driver completely in the dark, questioning not just performance but the very decisions guiding his race.

Even more telling was his physical struggle with the car. “I’ve got no rear,” he reported. “Brake pedal is getting low—I can’t stop the car.” These are not standard concerns in a top-tier F1 team’s vocabulary. Yet what came back over the radio was surreal: “It’s quite balanced.” That response wasn’t just inaccurate—it showed a terrifying disconnect between what Hamilton was experiencing and what the engineers believed.

Leclerc’s Strategic Spiral

If Hamilton’s race was a mechanical nightmare, Leclerc’s was a tactical farce.

The Monegasque driver has long been Ferrari’s golden child, praised for his composure and fierce loyalty through years of heartbreak. But even Leclerc reached his limit in Montreal.

After receiving an instruction to switch to “Plan B,” Leclerc immediately questioned it. “I think Plan C,” he shot back—his tone tight, controlled, but clearly annoyed. Then came the breaking point. After being pulled into the pits prematurely, he radioed, “Why have we boxed?”

The response? “We’re on Plan B.”

It was like watching two people have a conversation in different languages. Leclerc had just informed the team his tires were still strong. Yet, they had already committed to a change he didn’t ask for. “Yeah, but I was just telling you tires were fine,” he replied—calm, but cutting. Later, he dropped the line now echoing through F1 circles: “I don’t understand this choice.”

Six words. Simple, damning, and devastating. Not just a critique of one decision, but of a broader pattern that has defined Ferrari’s strategy for years—uncoordinated, reactionary, and disconnected from the realities of the track.

A Team in Freefall

What emerged in Montreal wasn’t just disappointment—it was collapse. The drivers weren’t lashing out with blind emotion; they were methodically dissecting the failures around them. That’s what makes this crisis different. This wasn’t a fluke, or the result of bad luck. It was systemic. Strategic errors, confused messaging, a car visibly out of sync with driver expectations, and a pit wall unable—or unwilling—to adapt.

And now, thanks to the leaked radio, everyone has heard it.

From fans to pundits to rival teams and—most critically—the Ferrari boardroom, the full extent of the dysfunction has been broadcast to the world. It’s impossible to dismiss or deflect when two of the best drivers on the grid are questioning the team’s competence in real-time, live on air.

The Human Fallout

The emotional aftermath was just as telling as the race itself. Hamilton, typically poised in public, left the paddock with the look of a man wondering why he ever left Mercedes. No fury, just quiet resignation. Leclerc, meanwhile, sat silently, eyes unfocused, seemingly replaying every decision that turned his race into a disaster.

They weren’t just angry—they were disillusioned.

Hamilton came to Ferrari not just for another title run, but to be part of a legacy-defining revival. Leclerc stayed with the hope that patience and loyalty would eventually be rewarded. Now both seem dangerously close to losing faith—not in each other, but in the system around them.

What Now?

This isn’t a one-off problem. It’s a glaring sign that Ferrari’s internal structure is still not functioning at the elite level required to compete for a championship. When your drivers are openly questioning strategy mid-race and expressing fundamental disbelief in decisions made on the pit wall, the issue isn’t speed—it’s leadership.

And unless this is addressed immediately, Ferrari risks losing not just races, but the confidence and commitment of the very stars they’ve built this season around.

The Bigger Picture

Montreal was supposed to be the beginning of a red resurgence. Instead, it’s become a cautionary tale—a warning shot across the bow that something is deeply, structurally wrong.

Ferrari fans have seen this movie before. Glimmers of hope snuffed out by indecision, strategy misfires, and an organization that often seems caught between tradition and progress. But this time, the stakes are even higher. This time, the team isn’t just letting down young promise—they’re squandering greatness.

Conclusion

The leaked radio messages from Montreal aren’t just viral F1 moments—they’re symptoms of a deeper illness. They reveal a Ferrari not just struggling, but fractured. A team so desperate for answers that it’s now answering the wrong questions, at the wrong time, in the worst possible way.

If Ferrari doesn’t get its house in order—and quickly—this won’t just be another failed title run. It will be the unraveling of what could have been a historic super team.

For fans of the Prancing Horse, the message from Canada was clear: this isn’t a slump—it’s a full-blown crisis. And if something doesn’t change before the next lights go out, Ferrari may find itself not just outpaced, but out of time.

Full Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX-6NRPthBY

Photo: © IMAGO

McLaren F1 team-mates and title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have crashed at the Canadian Grand Prix, initiating a dramatic finale in Montreal.

Norris’ front wing touched the rear of Piastri’s tyre as the pair battled for fourth place, and the British driver found himself in the barrier.

The incident brought out a safety car and Norris was forced to retire from the race, with Piastri’s McLaren also receiving damage.

However, the Aussie did not lose position under the safety car conditions and remains behind Kimi Antonelli in fourth.

McLaren team-mates collide at Canadian Grand Prix

Norris was apologetic to McLaren over team radio, and admitted fault for the incident to his race engineer Will Joseph.

“I’m sorry. All my bad. All my fault,” he said.

“Stupid from me.”

The McLaren team have frequently stated that their two drivers are free to race in 2025, but must now face the consequences of both of their drivers being in the title fight.

As McLaren suffered, George Russell emerged victorious in Canada and the race finished under the safety car following Norris’ crash.

He hosted the iconic show for years…

This Morning favourite Dermot O’Leary previously revealed why he was forced to confront Simon Cowell during their X Factor days.

TV presenter Dermot hosted the iconic ITV singing competition for eight years. He ended up leaving in 2015 and was replaced by Olly Murs and the late Caroline Flack.

A year later though, Dermot – who is hosting Soccer Aid today (June 15) – was brought back by Simon to host the show again. But according to Dermot, he was not too happy when he returned – and he soon called out Simon…

Dermot hosted the show for years (Credit: SplashNews.com

This Morning star Dermot O’Leary’s shock at lack of airtime

In 2020, Dermot shared that he previously confronted show boss Simon over his lack of screen time on X Factor.

“You’re watching the show one day and going: ‘I’m not in any of this,’” Dermot told The Sun.

Recalling his confrontation with Simon, Dermot added: “He does that great Simon thing where you walk into his house and you’re like: ‘Stick to the plan, say what you want to say.’ And then you sit down, you’re going through it and he goes: ‘Do you want some chicken pie?’ And in your head, you’re like, actually, I really like chicken pie.”

Presenter Dermot continued: “The most delicious chicken pie you’ve had in your life turns up and you have this thing and you go: ‘I don’t think I’m in the show enough.’ He goes: ‘Yeah, I totally agree. Yeah, ­absolutely.’ Then you go: ‘Great, now I can just have a great time,’ because he’s great company.”

He headed round to Simon’s house to confront him (Credit: Britain’s Got Talent/YouTube)

Dermot on why he really quit The X Factor

Dermot also previously revealed the real reason he initially left X Factor.

Talking to Event magazine in 2019, Dermot recalled not knowing if his contract was going to be renewed, reportedly just weeks before the show started.

“I made a call to ITV and was told I might be doing it but I might not,” he claimed.

“I’d done eight years there very successfully, and I thought, I’m not playing these games any more. So I called ITV and told them to count me out. Saying ‘no’ was the only power I had.”