Formula 1 Canadian GP: Mercedes flies with Russell and Antonelli, Ferrari chases amid doubts and hopes

Formula 1 enters the decisive phase: Montréal confirms Mercedes' strength

Formula 1 arrives in Montréal with an increasingly defined technical balance and with a feeling that in the paddock is beginning to become certainty: Mercedes has found the right key to dominate this phase of the season. At the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve, the Brackley team has set its own pace from the very first sessions, confirming a superiority that today puts direct pressure on Ferrari and McLaren.

George Russell sent a strong message to the World Championship with an almost perfect qualifying. The Briton extracted all the potential from the W17, showing a car precise in direction changes and particularly effective in tyre management on the single lap. Behind him, Andrea Kimi Antonelli continues to impress, increasingly the absolute star of the championship.

The young Italian talent narrowly missed out on pole after a weekend built with great maturity. Antonelli, without hiding, explained that he had lost something in the first sector during the decisive attempt, but the final second place confirms once again his impressive growth. At Mercedes the atmosphere is that of big occasions and the Russell-Antonelli duo today probably represents the most complete pair on the grid.

Ferrari seeks a step forward: Leclerc admits the difficulties of the SF-26

The SF-26 remains competitive on the single lap but struggles on race pace

At Maranello the work continues without respite, but Canada has brought the still present limits of Ferrari back into the spotlight. Charles Leclerc analysed the behaviour of the car with great lucidity, explaining how the car continues to struggle especially in corner entry phases and in stability under braking.

The Monegasque admitted that Mercedes, at the moment, seems to have something more especially in the overall management of the race. Ferrari remains close in qualifying, but on the long run the gap emerges more clearly. For this reason the Italian team is focusing development on aerodynamic updates designed to improve balance and traction.

Leclerc did not look for excuses. According to the Ferrari driver, a perfect weekend will be needed to counter the superiority shown by Mercedes in Montréal. A statement that captures the Ferrari moment well: quick, competitive, but still not consistent enough to control an entire weekend.

Hamilton relaunches: “Ferrari has the potential to be back at the front”

Lewis Hamilton continues instead to defend the Ferrari project with conviction. The seven-time world champion wanted to put the rumours about a possible retirement to rest once and for all, confirming his intention to remain at Maranello for a long time.

The Briton also spoke about the technical work carried out together with the engineers, explaining that he wants to prioritise track work over virtual simulations. According to Hamilton, some behaviours of the car only emerge during the race weekend and it is precisely from those data that Ferrari is trying to build the next evolutionary step.

The relationship between Hamilton and the team appears solid despite the initial difficulties. The feeling is that the English champion still deeply believes in the possibility of bringing Ferrari back to the top of Formula 1.

McLaren remains in wait: Piastri and Norris are waiting for the right moment

Andrea Stella prepares new updates to reopen the World Championship battle

Behind the two main protagonists there continues to be a McLaren that does not want to lose touch with the front. After a bright start to the season, the English team seems to have slightly felt Mercedes' technical growth, but the potential of the MCL39 remains clear.

Oscar Piastri has acknowledged the progress of the rivals without creating unnecessary tension. The Australian explained that the World Championship is still wide open and that the next races could change the balance of power again. Confidence is also shared by Lando Norris, convinced that the updates planned in the coming weeks can bring McLaren back into the battle for victories on a stable basis.

Andrea Stella, for his part, continues to keep confidence high within the environment. The Italian team principal has dismissed rumours of possible internal changes, reiterating the solidity of the technical project and the desire to remain protagonists until the end of the season.

Red Bull is living through the most difficult moment of the Verstappen era

The dominance of recent years now seems like a memory

If Mercedes is growing and Ferrari is trying to react, the real great unknown of current Formula 1 remains Red Bull. The reigning world champion team appears far from the standards that had characterised recent years and even Max Verstappen now seems forced to chase.

The car's development problems and the ongoing internal tensions are complicating the work of the Austrian team. Verstappen continues to extract the maximum from the car, but the margin over the rivals has completely disappeared.

In the paddock, there is also continuing talk about the future engine regulations scheduled for 2027. The discussions between FIA, manufacturers and teams could open a new technical revolution, destined to change the balance of modern Formula 1 once again.

2026 Formula 1 World Championship: Antonelli symbol of the new generation

The 2026 season is telling a different Formula 1 story, more balanced and full of protagonists. Andrea Kimi Antonelli perfectly represents this new course: young, aggressive and already leader of the standings ahead of much more experienced drivers.

Mercedes seems to have built the most complete technical package in the championship, while Ferrari continues the chase looking for the continuity that is still missing. McLaren remains ready to take advantage of every opportunity, while Red Bull tries to rediscover a stability that today appears distant.

The Montréal weekend could become a crucial turning point in the season. The Canadian race will say whether Mercedes is really ready to take definitive control of the World Championship or whether Ferrari and McLaren will be able to reopen the battle for the title immediately.