Russell wins Canada sprint after dramatic battle with Antonelli

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Russell wins Canada sprint after dramatic battle with AntonelliImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, George Russell won the Canadian Grand Prix sprint race after starting on poleByAndrew Benson F1 Correspondent in MontrealPublished7 minutes agoThe title battle between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli boiled over for the first time as the Englishman won a gripping sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell and Antonelli collided in one incident and the Italian ran off track in two as they battled for the lead of the race in the early laps.

Antonelli's second off-track incident handed second place to McLaren's Lando Norris and the three cars fought nose to tail until the end of the race. Antonelli, who finished third behind Norris, complained over the radio that Russell had pushed him off track and deserved a penalty.

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And team boss Toto Wolff, who rarely talks on the radio, ordered his protege to "concentrate on the driving, not on the radio moaning". Russell kept his cool in the lead - and on the penultimate lap Antonelli had a third off-track moment as he attempted to dive around the outside of the McLaren into the first corner, but Norris held firm.

Russell's victory, from Norris and Antonelli, cuts his deficit in the championship to Antonelli to 18 points and was a much-needed return to the front for the Briton after three consecutive grand prix wins for his team-mate. Antonelli complained again about Russell's driving on the slowing down lap and Wolff again came on the radio to admonish him: "Kimi, we talk about this privately, not on the radio.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.