Mercedes tops F1 after Antonelli hat-trick

Mercedes heads into the Canadian Grand Prix as Formula 1’s early benchmark after four races under the sport’s new 2026 rules. Motorsport.com reported on May 19 that Mercedes drivers have taken pole for each of the opening four rounds, and Kimi Antonelli arrives in Montreal after a Miami hat-trick that left him leading the championship. Formula 1’s official standings show Antonelli on 100 points and teammate George Russell on 80 after Miami. The next stop is Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, where the Canadian Grand Prix race is scheduled for Sunday, May 24. ### How strong is Mercedes’ start, in hard numbers? Formula 1’s official standings put Antonelli first on 100 points after four races, with Russell second on 80. That gives Mercedes the top two spots in the drivers’ table heading into Canada, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third on 59 and McLaren’s Lando Norris fourth on 51. Motorsport.com said Mercedes drivers also claimed pole position for the first four races of the season. (motorsport.com) That matters because it shows the team has converted its one-lap pace into a clean early advantage under the new technical regulations. ### What exactly was Antonelli’s Miami hat-trick? (formula1.com) The Miami Grand Prix result on May 3 gave Antonelli his third straight grand prix win. Motorsport.com’s results page lists the Mercedes driver first at Miami, ahead of Norris and Oscar Piastri, both of McLaren. Motorsport.com’s Canadian preview described Miami as a hat-trick weekend for Antonelli. (motorsport.com) In that account, Miami cemented his position as the driver to beat before the championship resumed in North America for Montreal. ### Where does McLaren fit into this fight? Motorsport.com reported that Mercedes and McLaren both brought major upgrade packages toward the Canadian Grand Prix. (motorsport.com) That framing made McLaren the clearest immediate challenger rather than a distant pursuer, even with Mercedes holding the top two places in the standings. (motorsport.com) The same Miami result underlined why McLaren remains central to the picture. Norris finished second and Piastri third in Florida, giving the team a double podium behind Antonelli and keeping both drivers in touch near the front of the championship order. ### Why is Canada the next key test? (motorsport.com) Formula 1’s official schedule lists the Canadian Grand Prix as round five of the season at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. The weekend runs from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, with sprint qualifying on Friday, the sprint and main qualifying on Saturday, and the grand prix at 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. (motorsport.com) Motorsport.com said Canada could bring “another twist” after the Miami break because both Mercedes and McLaren were due to arrive with significant updates. That makes Montreal the first direct read on whether Mercedes’ early edge can hold once rivals respond. ### What should readers watch when the weekend starts? (formula1.com) Friday’s schedule in Montreal opens the competitive part of the weekend with first practice at 12:30 p.m. local time and sprint qualifying at 4:30 p.m., according to Formula 1’s event timetable. Saturday then brings the sprint at noon and qualifying at 4 p.m. before Sunday’s 70-lap grand prix. (motorsport.com) The immediate question is whether Antonelli can extend his run to a fourth straight victory, or whether McLaren can cut into Mercedes’ control. By the time the field lines up on May 24, Antonelli will arrive as championship leader, Russell as his closest pursuer, and McLaren’s Norris and Piastri as the nearest outside threats. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2)