PADDOCK INSIDER: Why it’s all to play for at Mercedes in Canada

Last time Kimi Antonelli swiped his paddock pass at the Montreal turnstiles on Thursday of the race weekend, the Italian was still a rookie and coming off the back of three painful races, which included two DNFs and a P18. Twelve months later, he had more of a spring in step as he bounced in as the championship leader on the back of three straight wins.

The Italian's debut campaign was one of ups and downs – but this year, he has hardly put a foot or wheel wrong. He finished second to team mate George Russell in the season opener before winning his first Grand Prix next time out in China – and then made it three in a row with superb drives in Japan and Miami to head Russell by 20 points.

"It's astounding, these few races," reflected his boss Toto Wolff. "In a way, it's what we predicted as a team – that you would have ups and downs last season – moments of brilliance and moments where you want to tear your hair out. This year, it's coming together.