Wrong choice
The start of the Canadian GP was complicated in the choice of tires since the track seemed to be getting wet due to the drizzle that was increasing in intensity as the reconnaissance lap start approached.
Read more GP Canada, sensational: Russell retires due to a technical problem
At McLaren, they decided to start with intermediate tires for both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. At the start, Norris took advantage of the fact that intermediate tires are easier to bring up to temperature and took the lead of the race, but the glory lasted very little for the reigning world champion because the rain stopped immediately.
Piastri and Norris returned to the pits to fit slick tires, then Piastri completely missed the braking at the Casino hairpin hitting Alexander Albon and damaging the front wing of his McLaren. Albon was forced to retire because the side of the Williams of the Thai-origin driver was irreparably damaged. Piastri was penalized with a 10-second penalty.
A LEAD CHANGE OFF THE START! 🤯
Here’s how the start of the Canadian Grand Prix unfolded 👀👇#F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/1H85dwc7kn
Read more Russell blames bad luck: “I just want to have a fair chance”
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2026
Albon OUT ❌
Piastri sent a move down the inside and the McLaren and Williams collided 😬
There’s a fair amount of debris down at Turn 10!#F1 #CanadianGP | LAP 15/68 pic.twitter.com/8jg3kpQFHa
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2026
Norris was called back to the pits for a reliability issue, but returned to the track after the mechanics worked on the radiators.
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