George Russell snatched pole position from teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying, securing the top spot by just 0.068 seconds on the very last lap. The Mercedes driver had initially aborted his first run but produced two flying laps when it mattered most. Russell celebrated wildly over the radio after realizing he had clinched pole, calling it "the most exhilarating feeling in the world when it comes at the last minute out of nowhere."

Antonelli looked set to claim pole after eclipsing McLaren's Lando Norris on his first attempt, while Russell's initial effort on his final run only secured third place. The Italian acknowledged the difficulty of getting tires in the right window, lamenting the narrow margin. Norris pushed hard for pole with the fastest middle sector before Russell's final lap raised the bar again, leaving the Briton 0.083 seconds short.

Lewis Hamilton faces an investigation for allegedly impeding Alpine's Pierre Gasly during the early qualifying stages. Hamilton finished fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar sandwiched between them. McLaren's Oscar Piastri secured fourth, while Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad and Alpine's Franco Colapinto completed the top ten. Russell noted the team had made car changes for qualifying, anticipating wet weather for Sunday's race.