WHAT THE TEAMS SAID – SPRINT QUALIFYING IN CANADA

Mercedes secured a commanding front-row lockout in Canada Sprint Qualifying, with George Russell claiming pole position. His teammate Antonelli was just 0.068s behind, completing a dominant showing for their new upgrade package. Russell survived a hair-raising spin in FP1, fortunate to avoid damage, while Antonelli admitted a messy SQ3 lap despite his P2.

McLaren continued their strong form, with Lando Norris taking P3 and Oscar Piastri P4. While they reverted to an older front wing, the team confirmed their overall upgrade package is working, building on the momentum from Miami. Both Mercedes and McLaren expect a tight fight through the Sprint and Sunday, acknowledging Ferrari’s potential too. The critical Sprint race will provide the first real test of long-run pace, setting the stage for a competitive weekend.