22:15
Leclerc has just barked at his engineer to not speak to him again. Not a fun afternoon for him today.
2026 F1 Canadian Grand Prix
© XPB Images
F1 Canada LIVE: Russell retires, Antonelli leads after tense battle
Live updates from the 2026 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- 2026 F1 Canadian Grand Prix is underway
- Russell retires on lap 30, Antonelli leads
- Russell, Antonelli trading places in thriller
- Threat of rain in the air
The fifth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Canadian Grand Prix, with Mercedes driver George Russell starting from pole position.
The final race before F1 heads to Europe for an extended period, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend has also been the third sprint event of the campaign.
George Russell converted pole to victory in Saturday's sprint at Montreal, but not without controversy, as he and Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli touched at Turn 1.
With the pair starting on the front row again for the start of Sunday's race, fireworks are expected, even if the rules of engagement have had to be spelt out for Russell and Antonelli already by Toto Wolff.
McLaren managed a podium in the sprint with Lando Norris, and looks to have strong race pace for Sunday's longer contest if the weather plays ball.
There is rain in the forecast for the main race, which would mark the first time these new cars will have competed in rain conditions. This has already led to warnings from some drivers about how the new car behaves in wet conditions.
Eighteen points split Antonelli and Russell in the championship ahead of this race.
24 May 2026
22:15
What I will say: if Mercedes reliability is a concern, this battle between Hamilton and Verstappen could well become even more significant.
22:14
Lap 50/68
Antonelli's lead stands at 5.3s. Not huge, but he's also not needing to push now.
22:14
"We can do this, guys. I'm pushing," Hamilton tells his team over the radio.
22:13
Lap 49/68
Hamilton is now only 2.5s behind Verstappen.
22:12
Penalty - Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas has been given a 5s penalty.
22:11
Just 16 cars left in this race.
22:11
Lap 47/68
Standings on lap 47:
- Antonelli
- Verstappen
- Hamilton
- Leclerc
- Hadjar
- Colapinto
- Lawson
- Gasly
- Sainz
- Bearman
22:10
Green flag
VSC is gone after a bit of debris was recovered from the run-off at the final chicane.
22:09
Lap 46/68 - VSC
The pitlane entry has been closed and the VSC is out.
22:07
Penalty: Isack Hadjar
Hadjar has been given a 10s time penalty.
22:07
Hadjar is now under investigation for moving more than once while defending against Leclerc.
22:06
Lap 44/68
Antonelli has a 5.4s lead at the start of lap 44.
Verstappen is now only 3.9s clear of Hamilton. This is shaping up to be a nice battle.
22:06
Replay shows Perez just had a failure on the way into pitlane. He wasn't going very fast down the straight. That was an odd one!
22:05
Lap 43/68
Perez has pitted with big front right damage. He is out.
22:04
Hamilton is still the fastest driver on the circuit right now.
22:04
Lap 42/68
Antonelli has lost a chunk of time lapping traffic. He's 4.7s clear of Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is now 4.1s behind the Red Bull.
22:03
Antonelli is fuming at Perez while trying to lap him.
22:03
Antonelli leads Verstappen, who is now 4.3s ahead of Hamilton. That gap continues to come down.
22:03
Lap 41/68
This has been a miserable afternoon for McLaren. Sounds like the gearbox blew out as he went down to Turn 10.
He's well off the track, so shouldn't be any disruptions.
22:02
DNF: Lando Norris
Norris has retired with an issue at Turn 10.
22:01
Lap 40/68
We start lap 40. Antonelli leads comfortably.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has gotten ahead of Hadjar on the back straight.
22:01
Verstappen's gap over Hamilton is down to 4.8s.
22:00
Hadjar has been noted for making more than one change of direction while defending against Leclerc.
22:00
Lap 39/68
Antonelli's lead is up to seven seconds now.
Hadjar holds Leclerc for fourth at Turn 1.