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George Russell claimed only the second pole position of his career after setting an identical time as Max Verstappen during a scintillating qualifying session at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The British driver, who was on pole in Hungary in 2022, proved Mercedes’ progress and beat Verstappen by virtue of having set his time first as the pair could not be separated by the timing charts.
The top three were separated by just two thousandths of a second, with Lando Norris lining up third.
Lewis Hamilton fell away at the end to finish seventh after appearing in the battle for pole. Two weeks on from his glorious home win in Monaco, title hopeful Charles Leclerc will start only 11th as Ferrari suffered a shock double elimination in Q2.
Follow the Canadian Grand Prix with The Independent:
Kevin Magnussen pits! (Lap 9/70)
The rain has stopped, the track is gradually drying and now those on the inters are going quicker than those on wets!
So what does Magnussen do? He pits – and comes out down in 14th!
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso almost lost it into the wall before saving his Aston Martin, while Leclerc has been told he’s losing half-a-second down the straights due to the engine issue.
Top-10: Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Alonso, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Stroll, Leclerc
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 19:18
Kevin Magnussen up to P4! (Lap 6/70)
The Haas sails past Oscar Piastri now! Next up? Lando Norris.
Further back, the Ferrari garage are telling Leclerc that there is an engine issue with his car, but for now “keep pushing.”
George Russell around three seconds clear of Max Verstappen out in front…
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 19:12
Kevin Magnussen up to fifth! (Lap 3/70)
Remarkable rise for Kevin Magnussen – he’s up nine places to fifth!
The Dane can simply drive on sections of the track that those on the inters can’t!
1-10: Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Magnussen, Alonso, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Stroll
Carlos Sainz has dropped to 15th! Leclerc still in 11th…
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 19:08
Lights out!
All the cars absolutely creeping off the start line in these wet conditions but George Russell makes it through ahead of Max Verstappen!
Lewis Hamilton makes a move down the inside of Daniel Ricciardo to get up to P6, with Ricciardo dropping from fifth to seventh.
Kevin Magnussen on full wet tyres started 14th and is now eighth!
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 19:06
Formation lap!
So just for the second time in his F1 career, George Russell leads the pack around for the formation lap.
Most on inters – Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg starting on full wet tyres! They’re predicting a downpour!
Can Russell hold off Verstappen at the start?
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 19:01
Canadian Grand Prix!
It’s almost time to get going in Montreal!
Despite the damp track, it’ll be a normal standing start – yet there are rain drops falling again!
The grid set to start on the intermediate tyres… here we go then!
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 18:58
Starting grid for the Canadian Grand Prix:
Pit lane) Valtteri Bottas
*Ocon qualified 18th but has a five-place grid penalty carried over from the Monaco Grand Prix. He was set to start P20, before both Sauber drivers were confirmed to be starting in the pit lane
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 18:58
Oscar Piastri:
“With weather like this, anything can happen!”
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 18:54
Lando Norris:
“If it doesn’t rain, more like an inter. But it’s meant to rain. It’ll be entertaining for you!”
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 18:52
Issue with Esteban Ocon’s car!
Frantic work at the moment on Ocon’s Alpine at the back of the grid.
Will it be ready for the start? Looks like a power issue…
Kieran Jackson9 June 2024 18:51
