Formula 1 2025 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying results: George Russell clinches pole in Montreal

The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session started with the two McLarens leading the table with the fastest lap times. The two Ferraris followed them in P3 and P4. The sad part was the exit of home driver Lance Stroll, who could only manage P18.

Gasly eliminated

The other drivers to be eliminated in the first session were Gabriel Bortoleto, Carlos Sainz, Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly. Most of the drivers complained about the traffic, and Sainz was frustrated about the impeding. Franco Colapinto surprisingly made it to the top 10 for the first time, while his teammate came last in the session. Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen managed to get inside the top 15 as their race pace wasn’t there compared with their rivals. The Japanese driver will serve a 10-place grid penalty in the main race as he overtook under Red Flags in the FP3 session.

Russell’s surprising pace

The second session started with Verstappen setting the fastest lap time on a medium tyre, followed by Norris and Piastri. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished on top ahead of Red Bull's Max verstappen, but George Russell made it to P1 in the final few minutes.

George Russell Clinches pole in Montreal

Mercedes driver George Russell was outstanding in the final session as he went into the 1.10s and was the only driver to do so ahead of Red Bull’s Max Vertsappen. The two McLarens failed to clinch pole as Oscar Piastri will start in P3 and Norris in P7. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton will start in P5 ahead of his teammate Leclerc in P8. 

Leclerc started the session well with the fastest first sector before he got distracted by Isack Hadjar, who was going ahead. This is the same front row as last year with Russell, Vertsappen and McLaren drivers in the top 3 positions. Tomorrow’s race will have a double pit stop as the tyres were too soft compared with last year. 

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Here are the 2025 F1 Canadian GP qualifying results

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