Breaking:George Russell Takes Dramatic Canada Pole, Teases Verstappen Over…read more
George Russell Takes Dramatic Canada Pole, Teases Verstappen Over Penalty Point Risk.
George Russell snatched a thrilling pole position for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen in the dying moments of qualifying — and couldn’t resist a cheeky jab at the reigning world champion’s growing penalty point tally.
After sitting third during the initial Q3 runs, Russell trailed Verstappen’s provisional pole time of 1:11.248 by 0.268 seconds. But on his final attempt — running on the softest C5 compound — the Mercedes driver delivered a blistering lap of 1:10.899, becoming the only driver to dip below the 71-second mark.
Verstappen responded but fell short by 0.160 seconds, ensuring a Russell-Verstappen front row for the second consecutive year in Montreal. The pole marks Russell’s second in Canada, having also taken the top spot in 2024 — and it’s the fastest qualifying time at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve since Sebastian Vettel’s 1:10.240 in 2019.
Reflecting on his lap, Russell described it as one of the most intense experiences of his career.
“That last lap was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life,” he said. “Every corner on the delta, I saw I was gaining a tenth, then another tenth. By the time I reached the final corner and was six-tenths up, I just thought: ‘Alright, this is the one.’ To end up P1 — that was a real surprise.”
But Russell wasn’t just delivering on pace — he also delivered a sharp quip when asked about Verstappen’s penalty point situation. The Dutch driver currently sits on 11 points, just one away from an automatic race ban, following a controversial clash with Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix.
With a sly grin, Russell said, “I’ve got a few more points on my licence to play with,” prompting laughter and applause from fans in the stands. The comment highlighted the growing tension between the two drivers as the championship battle heats up.
Verstappen, despite missing out on pole, remains a significant threat going into Sunday’s race. But with the spotlight on both his pace and his disciplinary record, all eyes will be on how the Dutchman handles the pressure — and whether Russell can convert his pole into a much-needed win for Mercedes.
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