George Russell claimed his first victory of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix. However, the British driver’s triumph is not the main focus in foreign newspapers. The media are primarily discussing the long-awaited clash between teammates and title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, and how the latter immediately took responsibility. ‘There should be more F1 heroes who spontaneously and honestly confess their mistakes.’
The Italian Gazzetta dello Sport describes the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a ‘Mercedes celebration’. According to the publication, George Russell essentially won at the start. “Russell reacted quickly at the lights and held the first position against Verstappen. Additionally, an excellent start for Antonelli, who managed to attack and position himself behind Piastri.” It is the same Andrea Kimi Antonelli who, after sixteen years, secures an Italian podium finish.
“A remarkable feat by the rookie from Bologna, who at eighteen years and nine months is the youngest to have done this for our country,” the Italian publication continues to exult. “The third youngest in Formula 1 history after Verstappen and Stroll. And to think that behind him were the lightning-fast McLarens. For the first time this season, there was no podium for the team, following a fraternal battle between Piastri and Norris.”
‘End of Norris’s Title Hopes’
The ‘fraternal battle’ between the two McLaren teammates is also extensively covered in McLaren’s home country. “The collision with Piastri was a significant blow to Norris’s hopes for a world title,” writes the British The Guardian. “Lando Norris’s dream of a world championship came to an end with a crash into the wall,” adds the British The Daily Mail, intensifying the narrative.
The media does commend their home hero for his immediate apologies to his teammate after the race. “Perhaps we should admire this immediate admission of guilt after he has so often single-handedly ended his dreams in recent months. It is honorable insofar as it is hard to point to another driver who would so readily admit liability. Or does it tell us something else?” the Daily Mail wonders. “Either way, it ends his hopes of a title, at least for now.”
‘Should there be more like Norris’
The Belgian HLN is particularly hopeful after the race in Canada that the championship is far from over. “Montreal proved above all that the season is far from over. Because the others also win if they can start the race ahead of those McLarens.” The sports newspaper has nothing but praise for those same McLarens, and especially ‘Belgian Brit’ Norris.
The media saw how the driver immediately apologized after his collision with the rear of his teammate’s MCL39. “This is also Formula 1: when teammates in a top team knock each other off their feet, there is a fight. Animosity. Poison. Not this time, rest assured that they were not angry at McLaren but even relieved,” continues HLN. “Thanks to Lando Norris, who immediately defused the situation. Some will call Norris ‘weak’. We call it ‘top’. There should be more F1 heroes who spontaneously and honestly confess their mistakes, not long after but immediately, while the adrenaline is still pumping.”
