Russell snatches Canadian GP pole from Antonelli with final-lap surge

George Russell claimed pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix with a final flying lap of 1:12.578 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday, denying Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli top spot by just 0.068 seconds. Russell, who had already won the sprint race earlier in the day, produced the decisive effort only when the session clock hit zero.

Antonelli had set a time of 1:12.646 and appeared to have pole secured as the closing moments of qualifying played out. The Italian teenager had been the stronger performer for much of the session, and his experienced team-mate’s late intervention made the margin all the more difficult to absorb.

Jamie Chadwick, the three-time W Series champion, offered a sharp reading of the dynamic between the two drivers. “I don’t think George Russell was expecting pole position,” she said after qualifying. “That whole session was horrible for him. He seemed to have an issue, and Kimi Antonelli had a big advantage. It was only really the last lap when it came to him, so I am sure there is a sense of relief and elation. Any time a sportsperson performs or bounces back under pressure it has double the effect.”

Chadwick was equally clear about what the result means for Antonelli. “Kimi will be a bit frustrated. He was so strong throughout the session. I think he has had more consistent pace than George throughout this weekend and that is going to be important for him in the race. George seemed to have put a lap in when he needed to, but Kimi looks like he had the lap in him easier in that session.”

She also noted how open the session had felt before the final runs settled the order. “It looked like anyone could be up for pole for the whole session — Isack Hadjar was up there at one point — and then eventually it sorted itself out and we had the order it should be.”

Mercedes will lock out the front row for Sunday’s race, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri starting third and fourth respectively. Lewis Hamilton will line up fifth for Ferrari.