George Russell delivered a stunning performance in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, securing pole position with a blistering lap at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Mercedes driver edged out reigning world champion Max Verstappen and championship leader Oscar Piastri in a thrilling session that saw the top three separated by mere tenths of a second.
Russell's pole position marks his first of the 2025 season and a repeat of his achievement at the same venue last year. He set a time of 1m 10.899s on the medium tyre, a benchmark that Verstappen, also on mediums, couldn't match, finishing 0.160s adrift. Piastri, driving for McLaren, put in a strong showing on the soft compound to secure third place.
The qualifying session was full of drama, with several drivers facing challenges. Verstappen initially set the pace in Q1, but Russell's late surge in the final laps saw him take the top spot. Alex Albon had an unusual incident early in qualifying when his Williams engine cover flew off on the straight. Yuki Tsunoda, who qualified in 11th, will start from the back of the grid due to a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement during the third practice session. Isack Hadjar, who initially qualified in ninth, received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Carlos Sainz in Q1, dropping him to 12th on the grid.
Mercedes displayed impressive speed throughout the qualifying session, with Kimi Antonelli, in the other Mercedes, securing fourth place, out-qualifying Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth for Ferrari. Fernando Alonso continued his strong form, securing sixth place for Aston Martin. Lando Norris, who seemed to be benefitting from a front-suspension upgrade, finished a disappointing seventh after struggling to put together a clean lap when it mattered most. Charles Leclerc finished eighth.
The adjusted starting grid sees George Russell leading the pack, followed by Max Verstappen. Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli occupy the second row. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will start from fifth and sixth, respectively, while Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc will line up in seventh and eighth. Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto round out the top ten.
Russell's impressive performance has set the stage for an exciting Canadian Grand Prix. With Verstappen starting alongside him on the front row, and Piastri close behind, the race promises to be a strategic and thrilling battle. The Mercedes driver has already engaged in some playful banter with Verstappen, adding spice to their rivalry after their clash at the previous race in Spain. The race starts at 7pm (BST).
