Lawson retires from Canadian GP, Russell wins first race this season
Liam Lawson was forced to retire from the Canadian Grand Prix this morning, capping off a tough weekend for the Kiwi F1 driver.
Lawson retired from the race with 15 laps to go, after starting from the pit lane due to a change in his power unit.
'Really sorry mate. It's a hard day, and this is the cherry on top,' Lawson's engineer told him following his retirement.
(Source: Getty)
"We had to take care of this PU (power unit).'
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The retirement ended what had been a nightmare weekend for the 23-year-old. Despite two strong showings in free practice, where his laps were quick enough for the top 10, things failed to work out on qualifying day, only managing to put together a lap worthy of 19th.
Mercedes driver George Russell, center right, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after winning the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal (Source: Associated Press)
Meanwhile, George Russell won his first race of the Formula 1 season as the Mercedes driver held off defending race winner Max Verstappen.
It was the fourth victory of Russell's career, and the race ended under yellow when McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris staged a wheel-to-wheel late battle that ended with Norris hitting the wall.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a push to lift our superannuation age, rising Middle East tensions, and Auckland's amateur footballers face off against global giants. (Source: 1News)
Russell started on pole for the second consecutive year in Montreal and held the advantage most of the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The British driver became the fourth race winner this year, joining points leader Piastri, Norris and Verstappen, the four-time reigning F1 champion.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli finished third behind Verstappen for his first F1 podium.
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The two McLarens came together when Norris, then in fifth, attempted to pass Piastri multiple times on the 67th lap out of 70. Norris ultimately ran into Piastri and bounced into the wall, drawing a safety car for the final laps.
Piastri finished fourth, ending an eight-race podium streak dating back to the second race of the season. McLaren as a team failed to reach the top three for the first time this year.
- Additional reporting by AP
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