Russell Dazzles with Late Flyer on Medium Tyres
In a gripping climax at the F1 2025 Canadian GP, George Russell clinched pole position for Mercedes with a blistering 1:10.899 lap on medium tyres (C5 compound), edging out Max Verstappen by 0.160s and denying Oscar Piastri’s McLaren a maiden pole in Montreal.
Russell’s commanding performance marks his second consecutive pole at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, capping off a day where tyre strategy, track evolution, and high-pressure moments defined the session.
Verstappen and Piastri Settle for Second and Third
Championship leader Piastri had looked poised to claim P1 after a strong lap on soft tyres, only to be outdone first by Verstappen and then Russell in the dying seconds. Verstappen, who started Q1 late but set the early pace, couldn’t match Russell’s medium-tyre magic in Q3.
The second Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive showing to take P4, followed by Lewis Hamilton in P5 — the lead Ferrari — and Fernando Alonso in P6 for Aston Martin.
Drama Throughout Qualifying as Penalties Shake Up the Grid
The session wasn’t without controversy and setbacks. Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar initially qualified ninth but will start 12th after receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Carlos Sainz during Q1. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, who was eliminated in Q2, will start at the back following a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in FP3.
Williams’ Alex Albon, who dramatically lost his engine cover in Q1, bounced back to round out the top 10.
Key Qualifying Moments
Q1 – Drama Strikes Early
The opening session set the tone for a chaotic day. A red flag was waved when Alex Albon’s engine cover flew off his Williams, causing debris on the main straight. Despite the incident, Albon bounced back to reach Q3.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz suffered a shock elimination in P17, hindered by traffic and a moment involving Isack Hadjar, which later resulted in a penalty for the French driver. Local hero Lance Stroll also exited early in a disappointing P18, leaving Canadian fans frustrated.
Knocked out in Q1:
- Gabriel Bortoleto (P16)
- Carlos Sainz (P17)
- Lance Stroll (P18)
- Liam Lawson (P19)
- Pierre Gasly (P20)
Q2 – Russell Stuns on Medium Tyres
While most drivers opted for the soft compound in Q2, George Russell chose the medium C5 tyre – a bold move that paid off handsomely. His time of 1m 11.570s was enough to top the session, ahead of a tightly bunched field.
Yuki Tsunoda, despite showing pace, was eliminated in P11 and will drop further back due to a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in FP3.
Knocked out in Q2:
- Yuki Tsunoda (P11, +10 grid penalty)
- Franco Colapinto (P12)
- Nico Hulkenberg (P13)
- Ollie Bearman (P14)
- Esteban Ocon (P15)
Q3 – Russell’s Pole-Winning Magic
The final showdown saw multiple changes at the top. Piastri and Verstappen traded provisional pole times, but Russell nailed his final lap with surgical precision, setting a time no one could match.
Kimi Antonelli impressed again, showing maturity and pace in only his debut season, securing a front-row lockout for Mercedes in P4. Lewis Hamilton, now racing in Ferrari red, qualified in P5 ahead of Fernando Alonso, Norris, and Leclerc.
F1 2025 Canadian GP Qualifying Results:
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:10.899
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:11.059
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:11.120
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:11.391
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:11.526
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:11.586
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:11.625
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:11.682
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:11.867
- Alexander Albon (Williams) – 1:11.907
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1:12.102
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1:12.142
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1:12.183
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:12.340
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:12.634
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:12.385
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:12.398
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:12.517
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:12.525
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:12.667
Starting Grid Update
- Isack Hadjar: Drops three places from P9 due to impeding.
- Yuki Tsunoda: Drops ten places from P11 due to FP3 red flag violation.
- Carlos Sainz: Starts from P17, after a poor Q1 and being impeded.
- Ocon under investigation post-session for not following pit exit protocol.
What’s Next: F1 2025 Canadian GP Race Day Forecast
With Sunday’s race set for 14:00 local time, all eyes will be on Russell and Verstappen as they reignite their rivalry from the front row. Rain remains a possibility, adding further unpredictability to a race that already promises fireworks.
Mercedes will aim for a double podium with Antonelli starting P4, while Ferrari and McLaren will hope to convert their second-row starts into meaningful points hauls.
