George Russell clinched pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix in a nail-biting qualifying session. The Mercedes driver set an impressive lap time, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen, who remarkably matched Russell’s time but still landed in second place.
Russell initially set the benchmark in Q3 with a lap of 1:12.000. Despite Verstappen’s late surge, the Red Bull driver could only match Russell’s time, securing P2 due to setting the identical time after Russell. Lando Norris was close behind in third for McLaren, with teammate Oscar Piastri completing the second row in fourth. Daniel Ricciardo, celebrating a decade since his first F1 victory at the same circuit, secured fifth place for Red Bull.
Fernando Alonso took sixth in his Aston Martin, while Lewis Hamilton, despite showing strong pace earlier, finished seventh. Yuki Tsunoda, whose continuation with Red Bull for 2025 was confirmed just before qualifying, secured eighth. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top ten.
Ferrari had a disappointing day, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz unable to progress past Q2, finishing in 11th and 12th, respectively. Logan Sargeant achieved his best qualifying result of the year, placing 13th for Williams, followed by Kevin Magnussen in 14th for Haas and Pierre Gasly in 15th for Alpine.
A major upset occurred in Q1, as Sergio Perez was eliminated early for the second consecutive weekend, ending up in 16th. Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who has a five-place grid penalty from Monaco, were also knocked out, finishing 17th and 18th. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) and Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber) concluded the session in 19th and 20th.
Qualifying Session Recap
Q1 Highlights: Verstappen topped the timesheets early in Q1 with a 1:13.368. Despite limited practice due to rain, the dry conditions allowed for a competitive session. Traffic and incidents, including Stroll’s brush with the Wall of Champions, added drama. Perez struggled, ultimately falling to 16th as the session ended.
Q2 Highlights: Rain returned as Q2 began, complicating the session. Russell led the times with a 1:12.323, while Verstappen battled traffic issues. Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Sainz were unexpectedly knocked out, finishing 11th and 12th. Sargeant, Magnussen, and Gasly also did not advance.
Q3 Highlights: The final session saw no more rain, allowing for optimal conditions. Russell’s initial lap of 1:12.000 set the pace. Verstappen equaled this time but couldn’t surpass it, handing pole to Russell. Norris and Piastri secured third and fourth for McLaren, with Ricciardo fifth. Alonso, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Stroll, and Albon completed the top ten.
Russell’s pole position promises an exciting race ahead as the drivers gear up for the Canadian Grand Prix.
1 – George Russell – MERCEDES
2 – Max Verstappen – RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT
3 – Lando Norris – MCLAREN MERCEDES
4 – Oscar Piastri – MCLAREN MERCEDES
5 – Daniel Ricciardo – RB HONDA RBPT
6 – Fernando Alonso – ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO MERCEDES
7 – Lewis Hamilton – MERCEDES
8 – Yuki Tsunoda – RB HONDA RBPT
9 – Lance Stroll – ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO MERCEDES
10 – Alexander Albon – WILLIAMS MERCEDES
11 – Charles Leclerc – FERRARI
12 – Carlos Sainz – FERRARI
13 – Logan Sargeant – WILLIAMS MERCEDES
14 – Kevin Magnussen – HAAS FERRARI
15 – Pierre Gasly – ALPINE RENAULT
16 – Sergio Perez – RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT
17 – Valtteri Bottas – KICK SAUBER FERRARI
18 – Esteban Ocon – ALPINE RENAULT
19 – Nico Hulkenberg – HAAS FERRARI
20 – Zhou Guanyu – KICK SAUBER FERRARI
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