SportsLine's model analyzes Red Bull's Max Verstappen, McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and the rest of the starting grid's chances at the 2025 F1 Canadian GP

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia crosses the finish line to win the Spanish Grand Prix Formula One race at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Albert Gea/Pool Photo via AP) AP

George Russell stormed to a stunning pole position for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix from Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver banked the best lap of the weekend with his final effort in qualifying to bump Verstappen from pole.

The rivalry between Max Verstappen and George Russell in Formula 1 can have a new chapter at the Canadian GP, after the two already locking horns on many occasions in Formula 1 before. It all really started during the sprint race of the Azerbaijan GP in 2023.

George Russell put Mercedes on pole position in Canada for the second year in a row on Saturday with Formula One champion Max Verstappen alongside for Red Bull two weeks after they clashed in Spain.

George Russell of Mercedes took pole position for Formula One's 2025 Canadian Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen

The Red Bull driver said questions about his looming one-race ban were “really pissing” him off after he qualified second for the Canadian Grand Prix behind George Russell

Verstappen has hit out at repeated questions about his F1 race ban threat after 2025 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying.

Mercedes’ Russell took pole position for the second year in a row for the Canadian Grand Prix. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.