Russell’s Redemption: The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying That Shook the Grid

There are qualifying sessions that pass into the record books with all the drama of a damp Tuesday in Milton Keynes. And then there are those rare, electric afternoons when the sport’s tectonic plates shift, if only by a few tenths of a second. The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was one of those days—a session that will be replayed in highlight reels and, more importantly, in the minds of those who witnessed it.

The Pole That Wasn’t Supposed to Be

Let’s not mince words: George Russell’s pole position was a thunderclap. The Mercedes man, who has spent much of his career being described as “promising” (the F1 equivalent of being told you have a nice personality), delivered a lap of 1:10.899 that left even the most jaded paddock veterans blinking in disbelief.

Max Verstappen, the man who has made pole positions look as routine as brushing his teeth, was denied by 0.160 seconds. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader and McLaren’s new golden child, could only manage third. The front row was not what the scriptwriters—or the bookmakers—had in mind.

Come on, talk to me! What a f****** lap! Yes!

George Russell

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For Russell, this was not just another pole. It was his second consecutive pole in Montreal, a feat that puts him in rare company. For Mercedes, it was a reminder that, despite recent years of Red Bull and McLaren dominance, the Silver Arrows still know how to sharpen their blades when it matters.

Here’s how we line up for today’s Canadian GP. Let’s see what we can do out there 👊 pic.twitter.com/mvt1jUMWg3

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 15, 2025

The Starting Grid: A Table of Surprises

Let’s take a moment to look at the numbers, because as any historian will tell you, the devil is always in the details.

Note: Yuki Tsunoda qualified 11th but will start last due to a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in FP3.

Mercedes: The Ghosts of Dominance Return

If you’re old enough to remember the Mercedes era of 2014–2019, you’ll recall a time when the front row was essentially reserved for Hamilton and Rosberg, with the rest of the field fighting for scraps. Since then, the Silver Arrows have been forced to watch Red Bull and, more recently, McLaren take the limelight. But in Montreal, the old magic flickered back to life.

Russell’s pole was not a fluke. His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, a rookie with the composure of a veteran, slotted into fourth. For Mercedes, this was a statement: the team is not content to be a historical footnote just yet.

Historically, Mercedes has thrived in Montreal. From 2014 to 2017, they locked out the front row three times and took pole every year. The 2025 session felt like a return to those halcyon days, albeit with new faces and fresh rivalries.

The Young Guns and the Old Lions

Kimi Antonelli’s fourth place is worth more than a passing mention. The Italian rookie joins a select group of drivers—think Gilles Villeneuve in 1978, Lewis Hamilton in 2007, and Jacques Villeneuve in 1996—who have qualified in the top five at Montreal in their debut seasons. The Canadian circuit, it seems, has a soft spot for audacious newcomers.

After how practice went, I’m pretty happy with the turnaround. We went with the soft, wanted to keep things consistent, I’m pretty happy with third, I’ll definitely take it here!

Oscar Piastri

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Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, now in Ferrari red, managed fifth. It’s a sentence that would have sounded like science fiction a decade ago, but here we are. Fernando Alonso, still defying the laws of sporting biology, put his Aston Martin sixth. The old lions are not done roaring yet.

The Fallen and the Frustrated

Not everyone left qualifying with a smile. Lando Norris, who topped Q1 and looked set for a front-row challenge, could only manage seventh after a scruffy Q3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s perennial hope, was eighth. Isack Hadjar, the Racing Bulls rookie, impressed with ninth but faces a post-session investigation for impeding Carlos Sainz.

And then there’s Yuki Tsunoda. The Red Bull driver’s Q2 exit was compounded by a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement in FP3, meaning he’ll start dead last. If you’re looking for a lesson in how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1, look no further.

Drama, Debris, and the Montreal Madness

No Canadian Grand Prix qualifying would be complete without a bit of chaos. This year, it was Alex Albon’s Williams shedding its engine cover on the straight, prompting a red flag and a flurry of activity as marshals cleared the debris. Albon recovered to make the top ten, a minor miracle given the circumstances.

Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, found himself eliminated in Q1 after being impeded by Hadjar—a moment that will no doubt be replayed in stewards’ rooms and Spanish living rooms alike.

For a taste of the action, check out the official F1 qualifying highlights on YouTube:
Watch the 2025 Canadian GP Qualifying Highlights

Historical Parallels: When Montreal Makes Heroes

Montreal has a habit of producing memorable qualifying sessions. In 2007, a rookie named Lewis Hamilton took his first pole and win here. In 2008, Robert Kubica claimed a surprise pole and victory, a year after his terrifying crash at the same circuit. And who could forget Jacques Villeneuve’s pole in 1997, a moment that sent the home crowd into raptures?

This year’s session fits comfortably into that tradition. Russell’s pole, Antonelli’s rookie heroics, and the mix of youth and experience at the sharp end of the grid all echo the great Canadian qualifying dramas of the past.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Russell’s Place in History

With this pole, George Russell now has six career poles, two of them at Montreal. He joins a select group of drivers who have taken consecutive poles at the Canadian Grand Prix—a list that includes legends like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes, too, adds another chapter to its storied history at this circuit. From the dominance of the mid-2010s to this year’s resurgence, the Silver Arrows remain a force to be reckoned with in Montreal.

The Grid in Full: Who Starts Where

For those who like their information in neat rows and columns, here’s the full starting grid for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix:

*Yuki Tsunoda starts last due to a 10-place grid penalty.

The Human Element: Pressure, Penalties, and Perseverance

Formula 1 qualifying is as much a test of nerve as it is of speed. The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix session was a masterclass in both. Russell’s composure under pressure, Antonelli’s rookie audacity, and the resilience of drivers like Albon and Sainz in the face of adversity all contributed to a session that will be remembered long after the chequered flag falls on Sunday.

Russell out of nowhere is on pole for the second year running in Canada!

Kieran Jackson

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Waste a Bit More Time

If you’re not yet tired of Montreal’s drama (and really, who could be?), here are a few ways to keep the adrenaline flowing:

• 2025 F1 Canadian Grand Prix – Qualifying results
• Russell beats Verstappen and Piastri to pole in thrilling Qualifying for Canadian GP
• F1 Canadian GP LIVE: Race start time, schedule and qualifying results
• 2025 Canadian Grand Prix – Qualifying F1 results (Montreal)

And if you want to relive the chaos, the heartbreak, and the heroics, the official F1 YouTube channel has you covered:
Watch the 2025 Canadian GP Qualifying Highlights