The Canadian Grand Prix had its fair share of drama — from an unfortunate run-in with a groundhog to a first win of the season for George Russell and an explosive McLaren clash. Here’s what went down in Montreal.

A Devastated Hamilton Hits a Groundhog

Lewis Hamilton left the Canadian Grand Prix feeling more heartbroken than frustrated — and not just because of his sixth-place finish.

The seven-time world champion, who started fifth on the grid, lost significant pace early in the race and didn’t know why until afterward. The culprit? A groundhog. The animal had wandered onto the track at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and was struck by Hamilton’s Ferrari, damaging the car’s floor and costing him around half a second per lap.

“I didn’t see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog, so that’s devastating,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “I love animals, so I’m so sad about it. It’s horrible. It’s never happened to me here before.”

Hamilton, a committed vegan and animal rights advocate, seemed genuinely shaken. He said the car felt “pretty decent” at the start and that he was optimistic about the race — until the incident. Brake issues later added to his troubles, and a poorly timed pit stop put him behind traffic.

“It went from one thing to another,” he said. “I’m grateful I could just finish, particularly with the brake issue I had, and bag those points.”

Russell Rules Montreal

While Hamilton was dealing with heartbreak, fellow Brit George Russell had a stellar day. Starting from pole, the Mercedes driver held off a determined Max Verstappen to claim his first win of the season — and his first trip to the top step of the podium in over a year.

“It’s amazing to be back on the top step,” Russell said. “To get the victory and see Kimi [Antonelli] on the podium, too, is an amazing day for the team.”

Verstappen, who finished second, seemed satisfied with the result, despite his season-long rivalry with Russell heating up once again. Antonelli secured third in what was a dream result for Mercedes.

McLaren Meltdown

The biggest flashpoint of the day came in the final laps, when the two McLaren teammates — both leading the F1 drivers’ standings — collided in a dramatic scrap for position.

Lando Norris made several bold attempts to overtake Oscar Piastri with just four laps to go. But the aggressive push ended in disaster: Norris clipped Piastri’s rear tire, sending himself into the wall and out of the race.

Piastri managed to pit and salvage a fourth-place finish, but the moment cost McLaren dearly.

“I’m sorry. All my bad. All my fault. Stupid from me,” Norris said over the team radio right after the crash. Speaking later to Sky Sports, he owned the mistake completely. “I apologize to the whole team and to Oscar as well for attempting something probably a bit too silly.”

The clash widened the points gap between the two teammates, with Piastri now 22 points clear of Norris in the championship standings.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella didn’t hold back. “We never want to see a McLaren car involved in an accident — and definitely not contact between our two cars,” he said. “This is a situation we know is not acceptable. At the same time, we appreciate that Lando immediately owned it.”

Up Next: Austria

With the dust settling in Montreal, the F1 circus now heads to Europe. The Austrian Grand Prix is set for June 29 — and if Montreal was any indication, the next round could be just as unpredictable.

Source: CNN – Lewis Hamilton ‘so sad’ after hitting groundhog during Canadian Grand Prix as George Russell claims win

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Verstappen fends off McLaren duo to claim victory, while 18-year-old Antonelli sets records with fastest lap.

Max Verstappen produced a flawless drive to win the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a tense battle for the top spot. The Dutchman’s precision and calm under pressure earned him yet another victory, keeping his strong momentum in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, couldn’t hide his admiration for Verstappen’s performance, calling it “one of the best weekends he’s had in Formula One.” Horner told Sky Sports: “The hard work was really done yesterday, but today in the race, he was inch-perfect. McLaren were fast, but we were just that bit quicker to hold them off.”

Verstappen’s win came after a stellar Saturday performance, where he grabbed pole position by just 0.012 seconds in a dramatic qualifying session. The final laps were interrupted by a six-minute delay caused by a grass fire, but Verstappen’s incredible pace saw him edge out Norris in the dying moments, much to the surprise of the paddock.

In the race, Verstappen quickly built a two-second gap over Norris and maintained his lead throughout, despite McLaren’s best efforts to close the distance. A critical moment came when both Verstappen and Norris pitted simultaneously. The two came out of the pit lane nearly side by side, but Verstappen wasn’t giving an inch. Norris briefly found himself driving across the grass, but later explained it was simply “racing,” adding, “Max is the last guy I expect to give me any space, in a good way.”

While Verstappen secured victory, the race also saw a historic achievement by Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli. At just 18 years and 224 days old, Antonelli became the youngest driver in F1 history to set the fastest lap during a race. He also briefly led the race, becoming the youngest driver to do so as well. His performance was a standout moment in what was an eventful race for the teenage sensation.

With his win in Japan, Verstappen closed the gap to just one point behind Norris in the Drivers’ Championship standings. “I’m incredibly happy,” Verstappen said after the race. “It started off quite tough this weekend, but we didn’t give up. We kept improving the car, and today it was in its best form. Of course, starting on pole really made it possible to win this race.”

On a more controversial note, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had a rough weekend, finishing 14th after suffering a “stomach issue” ahead of the race. Sainz arrived late for the pre-race national anthem and was subsequently fined €20,000 ($22,000) by the FIA. Half of the fine was suspended for a year, and the FIA confirmed that Sainz’s condition had been verified by a doctor, which led to the reduced fine.

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Verstappen’s victory further solidifies his dominance in the sport, but the rising talent of Antonelli and the fierce competition from McLaren make the 2025 season even more thrilling as the championship race continues.

Source: CNN – Max Verstappen wins tense Japanese Grand Prix as teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli makes F1 history

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Eddie Jordan, the charismatic motorsport team owner who launched the Formula One career of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced on Thursday that he died peacefully in Cape Town, South Africa, following a battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

A Legacy in Motorsport

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Jordan’s journey in motorsport began behind the wheel. He competed in Irish karting before progressing to Formula 3 and Formula 2. However, after a series of injuries, he shifted his focus to team ownership, a decision that would shape the future of Formula One.

In 1980, he founded Jordan Grand Prix, a team renowned for discovering and nurturing young talent. Notably, he provided Ayrton Senna his first Formula 3 drive in 1982. The team entered Formula One in 1991, and that same year, Jordan made history by giving Michael Schumacher his F1 debut, propelling the young German toward his legendary career.

Racing Triumphs and F1 Success

Jordan Grand Prix quickly gained a reputation for competitiveness and excitement. In 1998, the team celebrated its first Grand Prix victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, with Damon Hill taking the checkered flag. The following year, Heinz-Harald Frentzen led a surprising title challenge, though he ultimately fell short to Mika Häkkinen. Over its tenure, the team secured four Grand Prix victories.

Among the elite drivers who raced for Jordan Grand Prix were Rubens Barrichello, Jean Alesi, Martin Brundle, and Ralf Schumacher. Despite its success, the team was sold in 2005, marking the end of an era.

Beyond the Pit Lane

After stepping away from team ownership, Jordan remained a beloved figure in the F1 world. He transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a popular pundit known for his enthusiasm, insight, and humor. His larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite on British television’s F1 coverage.

In addition to his work in motorsport, Jordan played a key role in the career of legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey, helping to negotiate his high-profile move from Red Bull to Aston Martin. He also ventured into rugby, spearheading a consortium to acquire English club London Irish and later becoming its Patron.

Tributes from the F1 Community

The motorsport world mourns the loss of an iconic figure. Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his sorrow, stating, “Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1 and will be deeply missed. With his inexhaustible energy, he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.”

Jordan’s family remembered him as a man full of life, saying, “EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy, and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence. He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”

Jordan continued working until his final days, with his last communications on St. Patrick’s Day focused on his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club.

Eddie Jordan’s influence on Formula One and motorsport as a whole is undeniable. His passion, vision, and unwavering optimism leave an indelible mark on the sport and its fans worldwide.

Source: CNN – Eddie Jordan, former F1 team owner who gave Michael Schumacher his debut, dies aged 76

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Reigning world champion Max Verstappen secured third place for Red Bull, trailing Norris by 0.385 seconds. Mercedes’ George Russell claimed fourth position, while Yuki Tsunoda delivered an impressive performance for Racing Bulls, securing fifth on the grid.

Ferrari faced challenges during the session, with Charles Leclerc qualifying seventh and Lewis Hamilton, in his debut with the team, finishing eighth. Hamilton’s adjustment to the new car and team dynamics may have contributed to this result.

Williams demonstrated a strong performance, with both drivers reaching Q3 for the first time in a decade. Carlos Sainz secured the tenth spot, and Alexander Albon achieved a commendable sixth place.

The qualifying session highlighted McLaren’s dominance and set the stage for an exciting race at Albert Park. Fans eagerly anticipate whether Norris and Piastri can convert their front-row starts into a strong race performance.

Source: McLaren dominates first F1 qualifying of the season at Australian GP as Lewis Hamilton finishes eighth in Ferrari debut

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After an eventful offseason, the 2025 Formula One season is finally here. With new driver lineups, technical changes, and an intense 24-race schedule, fans are in for an exciting year of racing.

How to Watch the 2025 F1 Season

• The season kicks off in Australia for the first time since 2019 and concludes in Abu Dhabi in December.
• The calendar remains at 24 races, the longest in F1 history.
• The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been rescheduled to accommodate Ramadan.
• In the US, races will be broadcast on ESPN; in the UK, coverage will be on Sky Sports.

Major Driver Changes: Hamilton’s Ferrari Switch

One of the biggest moves in F1 history happened when Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes to join Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz.

• The seven-time world champion begins a new chapter alongside Charles Leclerc.
• His arrival has electrified Ferrari fans—his first official Ferrari post became the most-liked F1 Instagram post ever.
• Hamilton described the move as a “challenge I really needed” to reinvigorate his career.

Ferrari’s last drivers’ title was in 2007—can Hamilton and Leclerc bring them back to the top?

Can Anyone Stop Verstappen?

• Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, is eyeing a historic fifth straight title.
• Red Bull has faced a rocky preseason, with Verstappen admitting they have “work to do.”
• Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Pérez as Verstappen’s new teammate, making his full-time F1 debut.
• Red Bull also faced controversy last season with allegations against team principal Christian Horner, though he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

McLaren’s Rising Ambition

• McLaren had an impressive 2024 season, winning the constructors’ championship.
• Their driver lineup—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—is considered one of the most exciting in the paddock.
• Norris believes McLaren has no excuses in 2025: “We proved last year that we have what it takes.”
• Mercedes’ George Russell called McLaren the “strongest team in Bahrain testing.”

Other Key Driver Changes

• Carlos Sainz joins Williams after being replaced at Ferrari.
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, takes Hamilton’s vacant seat at Mercedes.
• Haas welcomes Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
• Sauber brings in Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg.
• Jack Doohan (Alpine) and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) are among five full-time debutants.

Technical Changes for 2025

• Fastest Lap Point Removed: Drivers will no longer earn a point for setting the fastest lap.
• More Track Time for Rookies: New drivers now get four practice sessions instead of two.
• Minor tweaks to aerodynamics and fuel efficiency aim to improve racing dynamics.

Full 2025 F1 Race Calendar

1. Australian Grand Prix – March 16
2. Chinese Grand Prix – March 23
3. Japanese Grand Prix – April 6
4. Bahrain Grand Prix – April 13
5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – April 20
6. Miami Grand Prix – May 4
7. Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix – May 18
8. Monaco Grand Prix – May 25
9. Spanish Grand Prix – June 1
10. Canadian Grand Prix – June 15
11. Austrian Grand Prix – June 29
12. British Grand Prix – July 6
13. Belgian Grand Prix – July 27
14. Hungarian Grand Prix – August 3
15. Dutch Grand Prix – August 31
16. Italian Grand Prix – September 7
17. Azerbaijan Grand Prix – September 21
18. Singapore Grand Prix – October 5
19. United States Grand Prix – October 19
20. Mexico Grand Prix – October 26
21. Brazilian Grand Prix – November 9
22. Las Vegas Grand Prix – November 22
23. Qatar Grand Prix – November 30
24. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – December 7

The 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be a thriller with new rivalries, unexpected shake-ups, and the hunt for another world title. Will Verstappen continue his reign, or will Hamilton’s Ferrari gamble pay off? Let the race begin!

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Lewis Hamilton has realized a long-held “dream” as he embarks on a new chapter with Ferrari, marking his first official day with the team after joining from Mercedes.

The seven-time Formula One World Champion made waves last year when he announced he would leave Mercedes, where he spent 12 years, to race for Ferrari. On Monday, Hamilton visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy, where he spent much of his first day meeting colleagues and soaking in the new environment. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he also posed next to a Ferrari F40 supercar, symbolizing the start of his new journey.

Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Hamilton expressed, “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realize that dream today.”

He added, “Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”

Hamilton, who shares the record for the most F1 world titles with Michael Schumacher, began his career in 2007 with McLaren, before joining Mercedes in 2013. During his time at Mercedes, he won six of his seven world titles, becoming one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. However, after triggering a release clause in his contract last year, he decided to replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

Reflecting on his time at Mercedes, Hamilton told CNN Sport last year, “We created history together. I don’t look at what I wish we did more because there’s literally no more we could’ve done and we created great bonds, great friendships.”

Now, Hamilton will partner with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as the team aims to capture its first driver’s world title since 2007.

Hamilton expressed his excitement about the new chapter: “I’m so excited to start this new era and to meet and work with a hugely talented and inspiring group of people, who have been so welcoming. I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organization, and the fans.”

With the new F1 season set to begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, testing will take place in Bahrain from February 26-28. The stage is set for Hamilton to make his mark in the iconic red of Ferrari.

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