What the teams said – Qualifying in Canada

Mercedes enjoyed a stellar Saturday in Montreal, defying warmer conditions that often hinder their performance. George Russell clinched his first pole position of the season with a phenomenal final lap in Q3, beating Max Verstappen by a tenth and a half on a short track – a truly remarkable achievement. Russell, visibly thrilled, described it as one of the most exhilarating laps of his life, praising the car's 'on rails' feel. Teammate Kimi Antonelli, despite being on used mediums for his final Q3 run, secured a commendable fourth place, a testament to his progress in his rookie season. Toto Wolff lauded Russell's flawless performance and Antonelli's strong showing, acknowledging the challenges of warmer temperatures. Andrew Shovlin also commended Russell's pole-winning effort and Antonelli's impressive P4, especially given the tyre disadvantage. The team remains optimistic for the race, particularly with their strong long-run pace shown in FP2, but acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the Montreal circuit and the expected rise in temperatures. Their goal is to capitalize on this strong qualifying performance and secure significant points.