Russell Takes F1 Sprint Race Time Pole in Montreal
George Russell set the pace in Montreal and took pole for the f1 sprint race time at the Canadian Grand Prix. He beat Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris, putting himself first for Saturday's sprint at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
The margin over Antonelli was 0.068 seconds, a slim gap that left Mercedes with the top spot and the drivers' championship leader just behind. Antonelli still carries a 20-point advantage over Russell in the standings, so the order on track has shifted even if the title picture has not.
Russell and Antonelli in Montreal
Russell's lap mattered most because the Canadian Grand Prix is the third sprint event of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. With sprint qualifying setting the grid, the result gives him the first launch position for a shorter race that will be run over 17:00-18:00 on Saturday.
Antonelli had no answer to that final margin, and Norris also finished behind Russell in the battle for pole. For Mercedes, the result puts both cars near the front at a weekend that is still early in the 2026 season and tight enough to punish small mistakes.
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Schedule
The weekend runs from 22-24 May at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, with qualifying scheduled for 21:00-22:00 and Sunday's race set for 21:00, with build-up from 20:45. The grand prix starts two hours later than last year to avoid a clash with the Indianapolis 500, which is due to get under way at 17:30.
The race-day change gives fans a different rhythm for the weekend, while the sprint keeps Saturday compact and immediate. Montreal drew 352,000 fans last year, and this year's mixed forecast adds another variable to a schedule that is already packed from Friday through Sunday.
Montreal Weather and Sunday
The next step is simple for Russell: convert sprint pole into points on Saturday and keep Mercedes close to the front when the main race begins on Sunday night. Antonelli starts from a stronger championship position, but Russell now has the cleaner view into the sprint and the chance to cut into that 20-point gap before the grand prix itself.
