Sprint qualifying: Russell beats Antonelli

Mercedes dominated the Formula 1 sprint qualifying session in Canada on Friday, finishing well ahead of the competition.

22 May 2026

From: dpa/det

Last year's winner, George Russell of Great Britain, secured pole position for the first-ever sprint race in Montreal on Saturday (6:00 PM), narrowly ahead of his Italian teammate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli (+0,068 seconds). Behind them were the McLaren duo of world champion Lando Norris (+0,315) and Oscar Piastri (+0,334).

The Ferraris of record world champion Lewis Hamilton (+0,361) and Charles Leclerc (+0,445) will start the short race from fifth and sixth places respectively. Max Verstappen (+0,539) had to settle for seventh place, just ahead of his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar (+0,640).

George Russell was unbreakable. © APA/afp / GEOFF ROBINS

The only previous practice session had to be interrupted twice. First, Liam Lawson of the Racing Bulls stopped his car, and later Williams driver Alexander Albon collided with a marmot on the track.

The wrecked Williams car belonging to the animal lover from Thailand, who cares for cats, dogs, and horses at home with his family, also had to be towed away. Neither car was able to participate in the sprint qualifying session.

Keywords Motorsport Formula 1