George Russell Reigns Supreme in Montreal. Reveals his biggest motivation
George Russell Reigns Supreme in Montreal. Reveals his biggest motivation
George Russell Reigns Supreme in Montreal. Reveals his biggest motivation
In a breathtaking final lap, George Russell clinched pole position for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, clocking an eye-catching 1:10.899, herding in Max Verstappen by 0.160 seconds and claiming back-to-back poles in Canada . It’s his sixth career pole, but his first of the 2025 campaign—proving that on a chilly Montreal Saturday, Mercedes remains in the title race .
Russell, known colloquially as “Mr Saturday,” said, “That last lap was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life… crossing the line and seeing we were P1 was a real surprise, but I was so chuffed with it” . He also cheekily referenced Verstappen’s precarious standing with the stewards: “I’ve got a few more points on my licence to play with… so let’s see” .
Verstappen’s Redemption and Tension
Max Verstappen put up fierce resistance, briefly leading before Russell’s hero lap relegated him to P2—a position he’ll take with caution. With 11 penalty points on his super licence—just one shy of suspension—he urged the media to drop the subject. “It’s really pissing me off…it’s such a waste of time…very childish” . Despite this, Verstappen insists he won’t dial back his aggression at the lights.
Norris Falters Despite Upgrades
This was a testing afternoon for Lando Norris. After topping FP3 with a 1:11.799, he stumbled in qualifying. A new suspension couldn’t prevent a brake misjudgment that clipped the wall and dropped him to a disappointing P7, a full 0.726s behind his teammate Oscar Piastri . McLaren called it a “big mistake,” suggesting a reset before Sunday’s race .
Piastri Holds Strong
Oscar Piastri, perched third on the grid, reaffirmed why he leads the drivers’ standings via his consistency and growth. Despite damaging his McLaren in FP3 (a brush with the notorious “Wall of Champions”), he rebounded to qualify strongly amid a testing weekend . Starting P3, he remains McLaren’s brightest hope for a top result.
Alfa-Tactics, Penalties, and Pit Lane Drama
Kimi Antonelli scored an impressive P4 for Mercedes, slotting in between Russell and Hamilton; Hamilton himself took P5 .
Fernando Alonso snuck into P6, maximizing Aston Martin’s race day potential .
Charles Leclerc saw his Q3 hopes collapse after complaining of being impeded by Isack Hadjar—ultimately qualifying P8 .
Carlos Sainz was eliminated in Q1 after being blocked by Hadjar—starting 16th due to Tsunoda’s penalty .
Penalty revisions: Hadjar is set for a three-place grid drop; Tsunoda is pushed to last after a 10-place penalty for overtaking under red flags in FP3 .
A dramatic red flag also marked Q1 when Alex Albon had his engine cover detach at speed—forcing circuit clean-up and delaying the session .
Steward Shake-Up: Warwick Suspended
Off-track, the FIA responded to controversial media comments by veteran steward Derek Warwick, prompting his suspension from duties at Canada. He issued an apology and will return in Austria .
Final Qualifying Line-Up
Pos Driver Team Time
1 Russell Mercedes 1:10.899
2 Verstappen Red Bull +0.160
3 Piastri McLaren +0.221
4 Antonelli Mercedes +0.492
5 Hamilton Ferrari +0.627
6 Alonso Aston Martin +0.687
7 Norris McLaren +0.726
8 Leclerc Ferrari –
… penalties shuffle positions affecting Hadjar, Tsunoda, Sainz
What to Watch for Race Day
1. Opening Knives-Out Duel – With two British rivals occupying the front row, expect fireworks into Turn 1.
2. Verstappen’s Penalty Watch – Racing cleanly is essential—Verstappen cannot afford another session incident.
3. Tire Game – Mercedes thrive in colder conditions; McLaren and Red Bull edge closer as track temps rise.
4. Midfield Surprises – Alonso (P6), Hamilton (P5), and the McLarens will be keen to pounce.
5. Strategic Pit Windows – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is unforgiving. Errors at pit exit could cost heavily.
🔮 The Big Picture
Russell’s stunning pole injects fresh momentum into Mercedes’s season—putting them back at the spearhead of F1 contention. Meanwhile, McLaren’s split-form performance—Piastri up, Norris down—crystallizes their season narrative. Though Ferrari’s race isn’t lost, P5 and P8 suggest deeper struggles in Montreal’s cooler conditions. Tomorrow’s race promises to be a chess match of tire strategies, driver discipline, and reaction to evolving weather and performance dynamics.
Fasten your seatbelts—Sunday’s
70-lap contest is shaping up to be a gripping showdown in the heart of Montreal.
