Event: Canadian F1 Grand Prix
Track: Gilles Villeneuve circuit

Weather: dry 20.7°C
Tarmac: dry  30.2°C
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 10.0 km/h South

George Russell qualified as quickest for the 3rd time today. The Mercedes driver scored his first pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix. It was the 1st pole of the season for the British driver and the 139th pole for the Mercedes F1 team.

2024 Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix: Qualifying Report

Q1: Early Surprises and Major Upsets

The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session began under threatening skies at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. With rain forecasted, teams were eager to get early laps in. Zhou Guanyu set the initial benchmark on fresh soft tires, clocking a 1:25.702. Traffic proved problematic on the narrow track, with drivers struggling to find clear air.

Lando Norris quickly took the top spot with a 1:14.585, but Max Verstappen soon eclipsed him, demonstrating Red Bull's pace despite earlier complaints about downshifts. However, the real drama unfolded as the session neared its end. Sergio Perez, struggling with rear grip, was unable to secure a top-15 spot, exiting in a shocking 16th position. Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg, and Zhou also failed to advance, setting the stage for a chaotic qualifying.

Q2: Rain Threatens as Top Teams Struggle

As Q2 commenced, the threat of rain loomed large. Mercedes took a strategic gamble, sending out their drivers on used tires first. The track conditions improved steadily, with times tumbling as rubber was laid down. Oscar Piastri initially led the session, but George Russell soon went top with a 1:12.323.

The session's biggest surprises were the eliminations of both Ferrari drivers. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, unable to find grip on used tires, ended in 11th and 12th, respectively. Logan Sargeant, Kevin Magnussen, and Pierre Gasly also bowed out, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the session. Verstappen managed to scrape through in seventh after a scrappy lap marred by traffic and setup issues.

Q3: Russell Seizes Pole in Dramatic Fashion

Q3 saw the skies darkening, but the rain held off just enough for a thrilling climax. The final segment began with most drivers opting for used tires, keeping fresh sets for the last dash. George Russell immediately set a blistering pace with a 1:12.000, aided by a tow from Alex Albon. Despite a strong initial lap, Lewis Hamilton struggled with wind changes, ultimately finishing a disappointing seventh.

Max Verstappen improved significantly in the dying minutes, matching Russell's time exactly but placing second as his lap came later. Lando Norris secured third, just two hundredths behind, making it a McLaren second row with Oscar Piastri in fourth. Daniel Ricciardo impressed with a fifth-place finish, ahead of Fernando Alonso. Yuki Tsunoda, buoyed by news of his contract extension with Red Bull, secured a solid eighth.

The top ten was rounded out by Lance Stroll and Alexander Albon, both delivering strong performances under pressure.

Last year's pole position time was a 1:21.299 min, set by Max Verstappen with the Red Bull RB18 driven on a set of intermediate tyres.

Qualifying Times 2024 Canadian GP

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