Russell took Pole position in Sprint Qualifying as Mercedes locks front row for Sprint race in Canada

Alexander Albon and Liam Lawson didn’t participate in Sprint Qualifying due to their problems from FP1. Williams couldn’t repair the car on time as the mechanics had to replace both gearbox and engine. Racing Bulls reported that the pressure loss in the hydraulic system was too great so they couldn’t repair the car on time either.

SQ1

First cars on the track were both Ferraris, Lewis Hamilton completed first fast lap with time 1:15. 459 seconds. Later Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen drove faster laps, Verstappen’s first attempt was the fastest, 1:14. 476 seconds.

With two minutes remaining Hamilton got back on top with Antonelli, Verstappen, Norris and Lindblad behind. During this time Fernando Alonso crashed in Turn 3 due to a lock up and caused a Red Flag.

SQ1 was resumed with 1 minute and 46 seconds remaining. Many cars got on track and tried to set a fast lap, but only Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll made it on time. It didn’t help them much as they didn’t improve their times.

Eliminated in SQ1: Sergio Perez (Cadillac), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac), Alexander Albon (Williams), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

SQ2

George Russell in a Mercedes was the first one on the track. With first fast attempts in this part Lando Norris in McLaren topped the standings but later with five minutes remaining Russell set the time 1:13. 466 seconds with his teammate Kimi Antonelli right behind.

Max Verstappen did only one fast lap which got him 9^th place but it was enough to get into SQ3. He later complained on the radio about bouncing issues. With one minute remaining Hamilton topped the standings but Russell was faster and left Hamilton behind with 0. 439 second gap.

Eliminated in SQ2: Nico Hulkenberg (Audi), Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Oliver Bearman (Haas), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

SQ3

All cars went out at the beginning of the last part of Sprint Qualifying, Russell even did two out laps. Carlos Sainz had problems with his car in Turn 1, but there was no damage. First fast lap was set by Hamilton and it was 1:13. 411 seconds.

 Both Ferrari and McLaren were close to pole position but Russell took it with the fastest time 1:12.965 seconds with Antonelli’s gap being only 0.068 second. Norris, Piastri Hamilton and Leclerc took following positions.

Right after the session, Russell commented, according to the official Formula 1 website: “Obviously feels great after a tough Miami, but I never doubted myself. This is an amazing circuit, high grip and I'm glad today came together.”

Sprint Qualifying results:

1st – George Russell (Mercedes) 

2nd – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.068

3rd – Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.315

4th – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.334

5th – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.361

6th – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.445

7th – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – +0.539

8th – Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) – +0.640

9th – Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +0.772

10th – Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +1.571

11th – Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – +1.630

12th – Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.662

13th – Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +1.737

14th – Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team) – +1.963

15th – Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) – +2.232

16th – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +2.795

17th – Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – +3.037

18th – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +3.389

19th – Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +3.677

20th – Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +4.094