George Russell takes Canadian Grand Prix pole after a DEAD HEAT with Max Verstappen – but edges the Red Bull driver as he set his time first!
George Russell took an extraordinary pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix, equaling 1 minute and 12,000 seconds with Max Verstappen.
The Brit takes the honor of leading the race after setting his time first.
A breakthrough for the beleaguered Mercedes team, and now the possibility of a victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve tomorrow. “There’s no reason why I can’t keep Max behind,” a delighted Russell declared after stepping out of his car to loud cheers.
It was a dramatic qualifying session with the threat of rain persisting and falling on and off. Everyone had to stay on their toes – a point Russell underlined when he simply held on to his sliding car at Turn 4 during Q2.
Lando Norris will start third, an agonizing 021 seconds off the pace, one place ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
George Russell took pole in extraordinary circumstances during the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday
A delighted Russell has beaten Lewis Hamilton – who qualified only seventh and faded after a promising session – 8-1 this season.
It was so tight when Verstappen’s Red Bull approached Russell’s time. He fit in. Russell, who followed him, couldn’t beat his previous record, but that didn’t matter. It was his second career pole, and only the second qualifying dead spot in Formula 1 history, the other at Jerez in 1997 with Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Jacques Villeneuve.
A disastrous day for Ferrari unfolded in Q2, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz retiring in 11th and 12th place. “I think we are f*****,” said Leclerc. He was told ‘yes’ and said he did not want to comment on the radio because his anger was too ripe to be broadcast.
What a setback for the Monegasque after winning his home race a fortnight ago.
Sergio Perez was the big loser in a dramatic opening session, which saw rain spit up early before temporarily blowing away. He only set the seventeenth fastest time, just as his teammate Verstappen, who had fallen below the line, jumped to the top of the time screens.
It is the third race in a row that the Mexican has bombed in Q1 – a statistic made even more embarrassing by the fact that he only signed a two-year extension in recent days. He’ll be glad the ink is dry on that.
A better day for Williams’ perennially struggling Logan Sargeant, who managed to escape Q1. However, he only managed 13th place, compared to Alex Albon’s 10th.