George Russell took an extraordinary pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix – tied on 1min 12.000sec with Max Verstappen.

The Brit takes the honor of leading the race off, having set his time first.

So, a breakthrough for the beleaguered Mercedes team, and now the possibility of victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve tomorrow. ‘There’s no reason I can’t keep Max behind,’ declared a delighted Russell after stepping out of his car to huge cheers.

 

It was a dramatic qualifying session with the threat of rain lingering and occasionally falling. Everyone had to be right on their toes – a point underlined to Russell when he just hung on to his sliding car at Turn 4 during Q2.

Lando Norris will start third, an agonising.021sec off the pace, a place ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

George Russell took pole at the Canadian Grand Prix in extraordinary scenes on Saturday
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George Russell took pole at the Canadian Grand Prix in extraordinary scenes on Saturday

Max Verstappen posted the same time as Russell but the Brit takes pole as he set his first
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Max Verstappen posted the same time as Russell but the Brit takes pole as he set his first

Russell vowed to keep Verstappen behind him during the race itself on Sunday in Montreal
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Russell vowed to keep Verstappen behind him during the race itself on Sunday in Montreal