OFFICIAL GRID: Russell on pole, a Ferrari-less top ten, and pit-lane starts for the Kick Saubers

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: 20th placed qualifier Zhou Guanyu of China and Stake F1 Team KickMONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: 20th placed qualifier Zhou Guanyu of China and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber walks in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 08, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

If the Canadian Grand Prix turns out to be half as exciting as qualifying, then we are in for a thriller in Montreal, where Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen line up on the front row after setting identical lap times on Saturday.

Hot on their heels when the lights go out will be the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and don't discount RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who could shake things up in Turn 1 after qualifying a superb P5 ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the second Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

REPORT: Russell clinches pole position in Canada with identical time to Verstappen in closely-fought qualifying

What of Ferrari you ask? Neither made the Q3 cut, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz P11 and 12 respectively. Ahead of them – in P8 to P10 – are the newly-reconfirmed Yuki Tsunoda for RB, home-hopeful Lance Stroll for Aston Martin and the Williams of Alex Albon.

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Look out too for a fast start from Sergio Perez, who qualified a disastrous P16 for his first race since his Red Bull contract extension was announced. And at the very back of the grid, Esteban Ocon will hope to make up early places after his five-place grid penalty for contact with Alpine team mate Pierre Gasly last time out in Monaco.

Ocon won't actually be the last away at the start – both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will begin the race from the pit lane after Kick Sauber opted to change the rear wing specification on their cars after qualifying.

Starting Grid

FORMULA 1 AWS GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2024

Pos.DriverTime
1George RussellRUS1:12.000
2Max VerstappenVER1:12.000
3Lando NorrisNOR1:12.021
4Oscar PiastriPIA1:12.103
5Daniel RicciardoRIC1:12.178
6Fernando AlonsoALO1:12.228
7Lewis HamiltonHAM1:12.280
8Yuki TsunodaTSU1:12.414
9Lance StrollSTR1:12.701
10Alexander AlbonALB1:12.796
View all standings

The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix starts at 1400 local time. Be sure to join our live coverage from 1300 here.