Antonelli Makes F1 History with Fourth Straight Win Amid Mercedes Duel

Kimi Antonelli dominated the Canadian Grand Prix, securing his fourth consecutive victory and making Formula 1 history. While the Mercedes rookie celebrated a milestone previously unattained by legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, teammate George Russell saw his championship hopes take a significant hit after a late retirement.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's historic streak establishes him as the definitive championship favorite just five races into the 2026 season. The intra-team dynamics at Mercedes are shifting drastically, with the rookie now firmly in control of the title fight while Russell struggles to catch a break.

The details:

• A historic milestone: Antonelli is the first driver to win four consecutive races at the start of his winning streak, surpassing milestones set by Senna and Schumacher. He stood on the top step flanked by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who hold a combined 11 world titles.
• Fierce intra-team battle: Before Russell's retirement, the Mercedes duo delivered a "textbook example of racing," exchanging fierce defensive moves and making minor mistakes without either gaining a decisive advantage.
• Russell's championship blow: Russell's retirement dropped him 43 points behind Antonelli. He is now closer to Charles Leclerc in third than he is to his teammate, having missed the podium for the second race in a row.
• McLaren's nightmare: McLaren's strategic tire gamble backfired completely. Lando Norris retired with a mechanical issue, and Oscar Piastri finished 11th after a penalty for contact with Alex Albon.
• Late-race pass: Hamilton overtook Verstappen on lap 62 to secure second place, pushing the frustrated Red Bull driver down to third.

What's next:

With a commanding 43-point lead, Antonelli has the championship firmly in his hands. Russell must reverse his misfortune quickly if he wants to keep his title hopes alive, while McLaren faces urgent questions about their strategy and reliability after a costly weekend.