If the Canadian Grand Prix turns out to be half as exciting as qualifying, then we are in for a thriller in Montreal, where Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen line up on the front row after setting identical lap times on Saturday.
Hot on their heels when the lights go out will be the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and don’t discount RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who could shake things up in Turn 1 after qualifying a superb P5 ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the second Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.
REPORT: Russell clinches pole position in Canada with identical time to Verstappen in closely-fought qualifying
What of Ferrari you ask? Neither made the Q3 cut, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz P11 and 12 respectively. Ahead of them – in P8 to P10 – are the newly-reconfirmed Yuki Tsunoda for RB, home-hopeful Lance Stroll for Aston Martin and the Williams of Alex Albon.
PIRELLI STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the possible race strategies for the Canadian Grand Prix?
Look out too for a fast start from Sergio Perez, who qualified a disastrous P16 for his first race since his Red Bull contract extension was announced. And at the very back of the grid, Esteban Ocon will hope to make up early places after his five-place grid penalty for contact with Alpine team mate Pierre Gasly last time out in Monaco.
Ocon won’t actually be the last away at the start – both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will begin the race from the pit lane after Kick Sauber opted to change the rear wing specification on their cars after qualifying.
News Summary:
- OFFICIAL GRID: Russell on pole, a Ferrari-less top ten, and pit-lane starts for the Kick Saubers
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