F1 2025: Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying Recap | George Russell makes it back-to-back poles in Canada

Russell outclasses McLarens and Verstappen

Mercedes’ George Russell made it back-to-back pole positions in Canada as the British driver picked up yet another pole position in Montreal, putting in a stunning final lap to steal pole position from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix 2025. Russell will start beside Max Verstappen, with whom he had a big moment in the previous race in Spain with championship leader Oscar Piastri set to start in third position.

Here’s a quick recap of the Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session.

Q1 – Sainz unfortunate, Stroll disappoints once again

Yuki Tsunoda started Q1 with the fastest time early on, as the Japanese driver’s 1:13.287s saw him sit at the top of the table before George Russell went quicker. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso had a strong run with a 1:12.239s to go quickest before the Red Flag came out after an unusual incident saw the Williams of Alex Albon lose its engine cover on the main straight. 

As qualifying resumed, Lando Norris went on top of the scoresheets from his teammate Piastri and Hamilton. With the flag falling, it was Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, Gabriel Bortoleto, Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly falling to make it out of Q1. Sainz claimed he was impeded by Isack Hadjar in his final flying lap, with the stewards set to look at the matter post the session.

Drivers eliminated in Q1:

Gabriel Bortoleto
Carlos Sainz
Lance Stroll
Liam Lawson
Pierre Gasly

Q2 – Tsunoda unable to make Q3 again, Haas suffer double exit

Verstappen’s 1:11.638s set the first benchmark time for the rest of the grid as neither McLarens or Ferraris were able to get close to the Dutchman. Leclerc’s second flying lap eventually got him to the top of the table with a cracking 1:11.626s.

As the clock was winding down and the time at the top of the table was changing between the Ferraris, Mercedes and Red Bull, it was both the Haas, Isack Hadjar, Nico Hülkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda failing to improve their time enough to get out of Q2 into the final top 10 shootout. Tsunoda will start at the back of the grid once again thanks to his 10-place penalty from Free Practice Session 3 which he picked up due to a red flag infringement.

Drivers eliminated in Q2:

Yuki Tsunoda
Franco Colapinto
Nico Hülkenberg
Ollie Bearman
Esteban Ocon

Q3 – Mr. Saturday does it again in Canada

Verstappen dislodged Piastri with a 1:11.248s, going 0.025s quicker than the Australian to go fastest in Q3 once again with Leclerc 0.481s behind the Red Bull driver. Norris, who had to abort his first lap due to the Brit going off-track, was 0.377s slower than Verstappen after he finally got his first lap in with Verstappen keeping provisional pole.

Piastri’s final lap saw him steal provisional pole before Verstappen went quicker again but it was George Russell with a stunning 1:10.899s taking pole position, surprising everyone once again in Canada. Russell’s teammate, the young Kimi Antonelli also had a strong qualifying session, finishing P4. 

Starting Grid for the Canadian  Grand Prix 2025 (before any qualifying penalties)

1. George Russell
2. Max Verstappen
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Kimi Antonelli
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lando Norris
8. Charles Leclerc
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Alex Albon
11. Yuki Tsunoda*
12. Franco Colapinto
13. Nico Hülkenberg
14. Ollie Bearman
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Carlos Sainz
18. Lance Stroll
19. Liam Lawson
20. Pierre Gasly

*confirmed a 10 place penalty for FP3 infringement