The Canadian Grand Prix did not need artificial drama. Montreal delivered the real thing: a lead battle inside Mercedes, George Russell stopping from contention, McLaren’s strategy collapsing almost immediately, and Lewis Hamilton fighting Max Verstappen in a duel that carried obvious historical weight.

Across Europe, the reaction was sharp and varied. Some outlets focused on the title implications of Russell’s retirement. Others framed the race as a strategic lesson for McLaren. Several highlighted Hamilton’s strongest Ferrari performance yet, especially after he beat Verstappen in the closing stages.

Russell’s retirement becomes the headline

The strongest media reaction centred on Russell. Formula1.com reported that the Briton was battling Antonelli when he was forced to stop on Lap 30 with a power unit issue, turning a potential victory fight into a major championship setback.

Reuters described the retirement as a significant blow to Russell’s title hopes, noting that Antonelli’s championship advantage grew after Canada. The Guardian also underlined the psychological weight of the result, presenting Russell as a driver whose speed has often been matched by cruel timing this season.

The international tone was clear: Russell had pace, but Canada became another race where opportunity turned into frustration. Media reaction summary

RacingNews365 reported that Russell admitted he was “lost for words” after the failure. That line captured the feeling around the paddock: Mercedes had the speed to control the race, but only one side of the garage left Montreal celebrating.

Antonelli praised as the new reference point

While Russell’s retirement dominated the headlines, Antonelli’s victory also shifted the wider narrative. International coverage increasingly presented the Italian as more than a rising talent. In Montreal, he looked like the driver setting the standard.

The FIA’s race report stated that Antonelli strengthened his grip on the Drivers’ Championship with victory in Canada. The result added another layer to the Mercedes internal battle, especially because Russell had started from pole and looked ready to challenge his teammate head-on.

For many outlets, the story was not simply that Antonelli won. It was that he absorbed the pressure, survived a high-stakes duel with Russell, and then capitalised when his teammate’s race unravelled.

McLaren’s tyre gamble draws heavy criticism

McLaren’s Canadian Grand Prix became another major talking point. Motorsport.com reported that the team chose to start both cars on intermediate tyres, a gamble that quickly backfired as conditions failed to reward the decision.

Team principal Andrea Stella later explained that McLaren believed the call was justified at the time. However, the international reaction was unforgiving. L’Équipe, quoted in Motorsport.com’s media round-up, described the race as a nightmare for McLaren after Lando Norris retired and Oscar Piastri finished outside the points following a penalty.

Max Verstappen even joked about McLaren’s call afterwards, according to Motorsport.com, which only made the strategic misfire more visible. In Formula 1, nothing stings quite like a bad strategy being replayed by a rival with a smile.

Hamilton versus Verstappen brings back an old rivalry

The battle between Hamilton and Verstappen gave the race another emotional centre. The Guardian reported that Hamilton was delighted after beating Verstappen to second place, securing his best Ferrari result and his highest finish since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Hamilton started fifth, lost ground to Verstappen early, then came back with a late move to finish ahead. For international media, that was not just a result. It was a sign that Hamilton is growing more comfortable inside Ferrari’s project.

Verstappen still reached the podium, but the tone around his weekend was more mixed. Some coverage focused on his racecraft and resilience, while other reports highlighted frustration around Red Bull’s execution and communication.

A Canadian GP with championship consequences

The biggest conclusion from international coverage is that Canada felt like more than a standalone thriller. It sharpened several season-defining questions: can Russell recover from another technical blow, can McLaren avoid repeating high-risk strategy mistakes, and is Hamilton now ready to become a consistent Ferrari podium threat?

Above all, Montreal strengthened Antonelli’s position at the front of the championship. Russell may still have the pace to fight back, but the media reaction after Canada suggested one thing clearly: momentum is now wearing silver, and it is sitting on the other side of the Mercedes garage.