F1 drivers warn of retirement threat as Mercedes extends championship lead in Canada
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton voice concerns over engine complexity and simulator correlation, while Kimi Antonelli capitalises on teammate’s retirement to widen Mercedes’ advantage.
Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the Formula One drivers’ championship after securing victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, a result bolstered by the retirement of his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari, while Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull, marking a significant consolidation of Mercedes’ dominance in the early stages of the season.
The race outcome has intensified scrutiny over the sport’s technical regulations, with top drivers expressing profound dissatisfaction with the current energy management systems. Verstappen warned that continuing to drive the current cars would be "mentally not doable" if the engine rules do not change, describing the driving experience as overly complex and lacking the purity of motorsport.
Hamilton echoed these sentiments, criticising the Ferrari team simulator for sending him on the "wrong path" regarding car setup. He stated he did not use the simulator prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, noting that his best recent performances occurred without its use. Hamilton described himself as "old school," suggesting the simulator lacks correlation with the real car because only he and Charles Leclerc drive the actual vehicle.
The regulatory dispute centres on a proposed shift from the current 54:46 split between internal combustion and electrical power to a 60:40 split for the following year. Ferrari, Audi, Honda, and Cadillac have raised concerns regarding the cost and development rights associated with this change. While an agreement in principle was announced by the FIA, manufacturers remain divided, with hopes for a compromise involving adjustments to fuel-flow limits and race distances to accommodate current chassis designs.
Despite the political friction, Mercedes remains the clear favourite for the title, having won every race this season and holding a 56-point lead over the nearest non-Mercedes driver. Their average qualifying advantage over McLaren is 0.369 seconds, though challenges from Ferrari and McLaren are expected in upcoming races, particularly on circuits like Monaco where Ferrari’s car characteristics are anticipated to suit the track.
