George Russell lights up Canadian Grand Prix qualifying

Written by Arran Lunt, Edited by Marit Everett

Rivals Max Verstappen and George Russell | Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

George Russell produced the fastest lap of the weekend setting a blistering time of 1:10.899 as he stormed to pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix.

On route to claiming a second successive Canadian P1 start, Russell was the only driver to set a sub 1:11.00 lap of the weekend setting up a mouthwatering Sunday Grand Prix with fierce rival Max Verstappen lining up behind him in P2. With Russell himself fanning the flames post qualifying stating he has more points to spare on his race license should they come to blows.

Somewhat surprisingly, the expectant pace of McLaren wasn’t quite on show this weekend with both papaya drivers hitting the wall at various stages and struggling to extract the dominant pace they have become known to deploy. Oscar Piastri qualified P3 and Lando Norris had a Saturday to forget as he qualified P7, unable to set any competitive laps in Q3.

The ever-present Max Verstappen looked capable of taking his Red Bull to a front row start despite complaints of brake issues and held provisional pole momentarily. Charles Leclerc too was on a red hot lap setting a purple first sector in the closing stages of Q3 before multiple snaps of oversteer threatened to dismantle his Ferrari for the second time this weekend, leading to the Monegasque aborting his lap, his best run only good enough for P8.

Rounding out the top ten was Fernando Alonso in P6 who showed tremendous pace on the medium tyres over several runs and could be a dark horse in the early stages of the race come Sunday. Isack Hadjar impressed again qualifying P9, albeit not as conclusively as previous rounds. Furthermore, due to impeding Carlos Sainz in Q1 - potentially the cause of the Spaniard’s early exit, he will face a three-place grid penalty.

Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar | Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Hadjar's penalty will therefore lift Alex Albon from P10 to P9, another good showing from Williams having overcome a bizarre incident in which the engine cover was blown off bringing out a red flag. Finally, Yuki Tsunoda will be promoted to P10 but as he is carrying a ten-place grid penalty for red flag infringements, will start from the back of the grid, meaning Franco Colapinto will inherit the position instead.

Russell once again proved that he cannot be counted out, being a constant threat as he featured in the mix through all practice sessions, finishing in the top 4 for each free practice. The Brit then put it all together perfectly as he enthusiastically claimed P1 in his silver arrow with team-mate Kimi Antonelli in an equally impressive P4 just ahead of a quietly improving Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton.

All eyes will be on two drivers and one corner this Sunday, the outcome of which may decide the race winner.