George Russell delivered the perfect response to a frustrating Miami weekend by storming to pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
And in a major statement from Mercedes, championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed a front-row lockout after qualifying just 0.068 seconds behind his teammate at the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Russell clocked a blistering 1:12.965 to edge Antonelli in a dramatic sprint qualifying session interrupted by a lengthy red flag after Fernando Alonso crashed his Aston Martin into the barriers.
“It feels great after a tough Miami, but I never doubted myself,” Russell said afterwards.
“I knew what I could do. Miami was a bit unique, but it’s high grip here, and it feels like you’re
driving a proper F1 car around here, which is how it should be.”
The result comes as a much-needed boost for Russell, who entered the season as a title favourite after winning in Australia, only to be overshadowed recently by the sensational rise of Antonelli.
The 19-year-old Italian, already the youngest championship leader in F1 history, admitted his own session had been messy despite securing P2.
McLaren Still In The Hunt
Lando Norris qualified third for McLaren ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, with the pair looking competitive despite concerns earlier in practice.
The two Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, will start fifth and sixth respectively.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen could manage only seventh for Red Bull Racing.
Chaos, Crashes And Groundhogs
The first-ever sprint weekend in Montreal delivered plenty of chaos even before qualifying properly settled down.
Alonso’s heavy lock-up and crash at Turn Three triggered a 20-minute red-flag stoppage.
Williams driver Alexander Albon missed qualifying entirely after crashing into a groundhog during practice, while Liam Lawson was sidelined with hydraulic issues.
(with agency inputs)
