Simply, Weekly Racing - Week 3 of June

Mercedes' comeback, McLaren's fracture, and Asia's diverging fortunes.

This Week's Highlights

• Mercedes' Return: George Russell claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, delivering Mercedes their first win of the season. Rookie Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden podium with a third-place finish.
• McLaren's Fracture: Championship-leading McLaren saw their drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collide, with Norris forced to retire. For the first time, cracks appeared in the team's perfect harmony.
• Bangkok's Sprint: The Thai government gave final approval to a $1.2 billion budget for hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit, taking a decisive step toward securing the race.
• Incheon's Stalemate: Meanwhile, Incheon's Grand Prix bid remains stalled from the preliminary feasibility study stage, hampered by funding issues and the shadow of past failures.
• The Price of Passion: Korean exclusive broadcaster Coupang Play launched a separate premium subscription for F1 viewing, sparking debate about fan accessibility and market growth.

Race Report: Canadian Grand Prix

Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve provided the perfect stage for drama.

Result Summary:

• 1st: George Russell (Mercedes)
• 3rd: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
• Notable Finishes: Oscar Piastri (4th), Lando Norris (DNF)

Race Highlights: George Russell converted pole position into Mercedes' first victory of the season. His 18-year-old rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli claimed third place for his maiden podium, as Mercedes fired the starting gun on their revival with a double podium finish.

But all eyes were on McLaren. Late in the race, championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided. The incident forced Norris into retirement while Piastri salvaged fourth place. It was the first crack in McLaren's perfect order – a team that had been praised as the most harmonious on the grid this season.

Post-race, Red Bull protested Russell's safety car procedure, but it was dismissed. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff dismissed the complaint as "petty," keeping the off-track battle alive.

Driver Performances:

• George Russell: Overcame the pressure to achieve a pole-to-win performance, breaking Mercedes' long silence.
• Kimi Antonelli: Reached the podium in just his 10th race, proving his potential and validating the team's bold decision to promote him.

Team Strategies:

• Mercedes: Filling Hamilton's seat with an 18-year-old prospect was a gamble, but this double podium delivered massive rewards.
• McLaren: The team now faces a new challenge – managing not just external competition, but the heated internal rivalry between two drivers chasing the championship.

Paddock Whispers

Attention is already shifting to 2026, with major technical regulation changes on the horizon. Several drivers, including Mercedes' George Russell, have contracts expiring at the end of 2025, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering for 2026 seats has already begun.

The remainder of the 2025 season will be crucial for evaluating the potential of all teams and drivers ahead of the complete technical reset in 2026. From now on, every performance will be judged by a second yardstick – the promise of 2026.

Beyond the Grid

The Beginning of Fractures: McLaren's Internal Competition

The Canadian collision wasn't just an accident. It signals the end of McLaren's 'honeymoon period' and the beginning of a genuine internal title fight. While teamwork has been their greatest strength, they now face the same challenge that has derailed countless teams before them – managing internal competition.

A Tale of Two Cities: Asia's Diverging Fortunes

Two Asian cities showed stark contrasts in their pursuit of a coveted F1 calendar slot.

• Bangkok: With full government backing and $1.2 billion in approved funding, they're on the verge of securing F1. This represents F1's preferred 'low-risk, high-reward' partnership model.
• Incheon: Struggling with national funding issues and haunted by the ghost of Yeongam's past failure, they appear as a 'high-risk partner' in F1's eyes.

The Price of Passion: Korea's Market Dilemma

Korean F1 fans face a new reality. Coupang Play's shift to premium paid F1 coverage has effectively doubled viewing costs. While investment in high-quality broadcasting is positive, the higher price barrier threatens to block new fan entry and hinder F1's mainstream growth. This ironically conflicts with Incheon's efforts, which desperately need popular support for their Grand Prix bid.

Setting the Stage: Austrian Grand Prix

All eyes now turn to Red Bull's heartland – Spielberg.

• Circuit Characteristics: The Red Bull Ring is a power circuit featuring short, fast lap times, long straights, and dramatic elevation changes. It's also Red Bull Racing's home ground.
• Key Storylines: Can the resurgent Mercedes maintain momentum on Red Bull's home turf? And how will McLaren's drivers handle the aftermath of their collision when they face each other again?
• Historical Context: This venue has witnessed countless dramas, from the 2002 Schumacher-Barrichello team orders controversy to the 2016 Hamilton-Rosberg final-lap collision.

The Numbers Game

Championship Standings (Top 5)

Drivers

Constructors

This Week's Number: 18 The age of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who claimed his maiden F1 podium in Canada. His podium finish solidified the team's vision for the future.

This Day in History (June 18th) In 1961, Ferrari achieved a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish at the Belgian Grand Prix. Phil Hill took the victory, followed by Wolfgang von Trips, Richie Ginther, and Olivier Gendebien.

See you next Wednesday for another chapter in the story.