Motorsport

Canadian GP: Russell Takes Pole Ahead Of Verstappen

The feud between George Russell and four-time reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen could continue at the Canadian Grand Prix after the two locked up the front row in Saturday qualifying. Russell of Mercedes won the pole for the sixth time in his F1 career with a lap of 1 minute, 10.899 seconds to best Verstappen of Red Bull, who was .160 seconds behind. Russell also won the pole in Montreal last year but finished third as Verstappen won the race. The two have sparred on-track frequently over the last few seasons and it happened again last weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen made contact with Russell that shoved Russell off course. The maneuver earned Verstappen three penalty points and put him just one point away from a one-race suspension.

Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; George Russell
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

Mercedes driver George Russell, of Britain, celebrates after taking the pole in the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; George Russell
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP

Mercedes driver George Russell, of Britain, reacts after taking the pole in the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; George Russell
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP

Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, celebrates after taking the pole in the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; Pole position winner Russell
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

Pole position winner Mercedes driver George Russell, of Britain, poses with for photos with Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh after the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, who placed second, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, of Australia, who placed third, walk through the pit lane after the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying in Montreal; Max Verstappen, George Russell, Oscar Piastri
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

Pole winner Mercedes driver George Russell, center of Britain of tis flanked by second place, Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, left, and third place McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, of Australia, as they pose for photos after the qualifying session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; Oscar Piastri
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, of Australia, drives during the qualification session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; George Russell, of the UK
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP

Mercedes driver George Russell, of the United Kingdom, drives during the qualification session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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Canadian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session in Montreal; Max Verstappen
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying | Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, drives during the qualification session at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal.

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