George Russell led early and matched Kimi Antonelli in a close, competitive duel at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell had won the sprint, taken pole, and traded the lead repeatedly with Antonelli for the first 29 laps. Both drivers drove defensively and aggressively, with minor errors and lock-ups, but neither gained a decisive advantage. With the race poised to continue tightly, Russell suddenly slowed and pulled off on lap 30 due to an engine failure. Russell reacted with visible frustration, while Antonelli continued into an unchallenged lead and won. Toto Wolff consoled Russell after the retirement.
"The British driver was left angry and disconsolate as his Mercedes ground to halt on track at the Canadian Grand Prix and his teammate and title-rival Kimi Antonelli powered to a record-breaking victory Russell must be wondering what he has to do to catch a break in what increasingly looks like a two-way title fight with his Italian teammate."
"He had claimed victory in the sprint race, then pole and then had an absolutely gripping, toe-to-toe with the 19-year-old for the opening 29 laps on the Ile Notre-Dame. The pair had circulated within half a second of one another, trading the lead, repeatedly in what was an exemplary piece of racing. Russell had to pull some superb, resolved, defensive driving and Antonelli was as always an irrepressible force, a joy to behold."
"To and fro they darted against one another, neither perfect, both drivers suffered lock-ups and minor errors but neither could take a decisive advantage. It was glorious stuff with nothing to choose between them. The prospect of it heading to the flag as such was mouthwatering, only for Russell's world to fall apart in a scant few seconds."
"Out of nowhere he suddenly slowed and pulled off on lap 30 with an engine failure. An understandably angry Russell hurled his headrest from the car and stalked from it in disgust. He was left behind the fence, staring at the marshals pushing his stricken ride away and shaking his head in disbelief and frustration as Antonelli scampered off into a now unchallenged lead he held to the flag."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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