Mercedes domination as unlikely statement sent - Canadian GP Winners and Losers

The Canadian Grand Prix threatened to ignite for the much of the race and just as tension was rising, Lando Norris provided the necessary flashpoint to make it explode.

That catalyst, by way of a collision with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, saw the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve engulfed in drama.

Multiple stewards' investigations and further controversy between George Russell and Max Verstappen followed, all before Red Bull protested against the Mercedes driver.

But in the melee, who came out unscathed and who was injured in the ensuing chaos?

So, who has made the RacingNews365 list of winners and losers for the 2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix?

Winner - George Russell

Talk about righting the wrongs of yesteryear. Russell came into Montreal, delivered when it mattered the most, in both qualifying and the race, and leaves the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a hard-fought victory, something he could not do 12 months ago.

Say what you will about potential late-race antics behind the safety car and whether he was deliberately trying to get Max Verstappen penalised, it does not detract from a seriously impressive Canadian Grand Prix.

His comments after qualifying have added another intriguing layer to his rivalry with the four-time F1 drivers' champion - as does what happened in those final moments of the race.

However, in the grander scheme of things, his triumph also comes at an important time for the Mercedes driver. Yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, or even properly engage in talks, with the Brackley-based squad, he seems unfazed but the situation - and for good reason.

Given his form, which has been high all season long, you would have to question why Toto Wolff would not snap up the British driver to a new deal. 2026 could see Mercedes produce another championship-worthy car and it is getting increasingly hard to argue Russell could not deliver titles in that situation.

Loser - Lando Norris

On another weekend where Norris looked to have the upper hand on Piastri, he leaves with nothing. And he only has himself to blame.

A self-inflicted wound leaves him 22 points adrift in the drivers' standings when it - at worst - ought to be just 12.

The British driver was plagued by his qualifying difficulties again in Montreal, rendering him on the back foot. Strong race pace and a slightly under par performance from his McLaren team-mate put him back in position to potentially even leave Canada with a deficit smaller than the 10 points it was heading into the weekend.

But he just it all wrong. He incorrectly anticipated the Australian's next move - or lack thereof - and went for a gap that did not exist.

It was a crash wonderfully reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button's at the exact same spot for the Woking squad 14 years prior, but it was a completely unforced error on Norris' part.

True to himself, he immediately put his hands up and shouldered the blame, apologising to the team and Piastri. McLaren said it was a case of when, not if, but how Norris recovers from here could be championship-defining.

Winner - Franco Colapinto

It did not come with the points Franco Colapinto would have so desperately desired, having found himself stuck in a DRS train en route to P13, but the round at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was a considerable step forward for the Argentine.

It was badly needed. Having reached a point where it was fair to argue the 21-year-old was no improvement on Jack Doohan, Colapinto convincingly outperforming Pierre Gasly, who admittedly had a poor weekend, was an undeniable statement of intent.

Having got through to Q2, he was only a couple of tenths from Q3, after going four-tenths of a second faster than his team-mate, who qualified last, in Q1.

The race did not yield points, as mentioned, but his one-lap pace following his qualifying crash at Imola was a real concern, he began putting that right in Canada.

The signs are starting to show gradual - and ideally sustainable - improvement. Remember, he needs to: Go fast, score points and not crash. Two out of three is not bad.

Loser - Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson appeared to have turned a page in Monaco. A solid, if unspectacular, weekend in at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya followed.

That is why his Canadian Grand Prix will be such a disappointment to the New Zealander. A strong Friday made way of a poor qualifying session.

The 23-year-old was at a loss to explain how he was only P19 in a session Isack Hadjar yet again reached Q3.

That was essentially the ball game for Lawson and the Racing Bulls driver never looked like leaving his mark in the grand prix.

A silver lining of being on the pace during FP1 and FP2 will be of little consolation to him after retiring on lap 53 of 70 with overheating issues despite a brand new power unit sitting in the back of his VCARB 02. 

Kimi Antonelli - Winner

It was only a matter of time, but the way in which Kimi Antonelli delivered his maiden F1 podium finish is undoubtedly impressive.

To spring back from a painful triple-header that included a disappointing home grand prix at Imola was noteworthy in itself, but the Italian had to fight for his first trip to the rostrum.

Despite looking off the pace early in the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, he recovered to qualify well.

His first lap overtake on Piastri during the race was executed calmly and maturely, as was his absorption of late pressure from the Australian driver.

It will be a significant confidence boost for the 18-year-old, who not only became the third-youngest driver to secure a podium in F1 history, he is the first Italian to do so since Jarno Trulli in 2009, when he was just two years of age.

Loser - Yuki Tsunoda

When it rains, it pours for Yuki Tsunoda at the moment. The good news, is he moved through the pack from P18 to finish P12.

The bad, is that even when you put his heavy, 10-place grid penalty to one side, he still failed to reach Q3 - in equal machinery to Verstappen.

It was the first time since his huge qualifying crash at Imola he was in he same equipment as the Dutchman, but it was hard to tell.

Red Bull desperately needs more from Tsunoda, and Tsunoda desperately needs to perform to save his career with the team, which is at risk of burning through a third second driver in two seasons.

With numerous strong options already on the sidelines, the Japanese driver will not be able to easily walk into a seat with a team like Cadillac. Options are limited and unless he starts bringing his best stuff soon, he could find himself on the outside looking in next season.