“It came from nowhere” – Russell reacts to dramatic Canadian pole
24th May 2026George Russell hailed the feeling of finally putting everything together after his late Q3 effort secured pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Feature image credit: Mercedes F1
Russell was victorious earlier in the day, winning the Sprint race and will now look to repeat that in the full Grand Prix after qualifying on pole position.
The Briton delivered a lap of 1:12.578s in the closing stages of Q3 to edge out teammate Kimi Antonelli by +0.068s, which helped Mercedes to a front-row lockout in Montreal.
Fresh from victory in the Sprint race earlier in the day, Russell delivered a lap of 1m 12.578s in the closing moments of Q3 to edge team-mate Kimi Antonelli by 0.068s, giving Mercedes a front-row lockout in Montreal.
Despite the result looking dominant on paper, Russell had a difficult session, struggling for pace in Q1 and Q2 as well as an aborted first effort in Q3. After qualifying, Russell said:
“That last lap came from nowhere. It had been a really challenging session and then suddenly everything clicked.
“To put it all together on that final lap and jump up the order was epic.”
Sainz says Williams “underdelivered” after Canadian qualifying setback
Russell believes the transition from the Sprint format back to qualifying conditions is a tricky challenge particularly after the team made changes to the car between sessions.
He continued: “It’s always tricky after the Sprint because the car feels very different and you go straight back into qualifying mode.
“We made some adjustments as a team and I just managed to get everything together when it counted.”
Mercedes have looked strong throughout the weekend in Canada so far, but Russell admitted the gap is closing to their rivals while also taking time to praise Antonelli.
Russell said: “Kimi was really competitive out there We weren’t as far ahead as we maybe looked earlier in the weekend, so it definitely wasn’t easy.”
“I just managed to adapt for that final lap and it all came together.”
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Sainz says Williams “underdelivered” after Canadian qualifying setback
- George Russell takes Canadian Grand Prix pole with Mercedes front row
- Russell takes Canada GP sprint victory as Antonelli disagrees
- Steward’s grant Lawson and Albon permission to race in Canadian Sprint
- Hamilton credits revised preparation after strongest qualifying display of season
- Russell hails Mercedes upgrade push after Canadian Sprint pole
- Racing Bulls fined €10,000 for technical breach
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