Qualifying report: Charles Leclerc P11, Carlos Sainz P12 in Montreal | 2024 F1 Canadian GP. How Ferrari performed in qualifying for 2024 F1 Canadian GP.

George Russell clinched the second pole position of his Formula 1 career, securing the top spot on the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix.

In a remarkable turn of events, both Russell of Mercedes and Max Verstappen set identical lap times of 72 seconds flat. However, since Russell posted his time first, he will start ahead of the three-time champion on the grid.

Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, is currently under investigation for allegedly not following the race director’s instructions during Q2. The issue reportedly involves a pit lane violation, where Verstappen forced his way into the queue of cars instead of waiting for his turn. The qualifying session was filled with surprises, including Red Bull’s Sergio Perez being eliminated in Q1. This pole position could be vital for Russell, as the driver starting at the top of the grid has won each of the last seven grands prix. In 2019, Sebastian Vettel crossed the finish line first after starting from pole but controversially ended up second due to a five-second penalty.

Montreal Qualifying, Ferrari disaster
The Ferrari team, which had high hopes for the Montreal race, has yet to show up in force. They won’t be seen in Q3 either.

Amazingly, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were both eliminated from the fight for pole position in the Canadian Grand Prix: they will start 11th and 12th respectively tomorrow. This is the first time since the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix that both Maranello cars have failed to qualify for Q3.

The SF-24 never gave the impression of having the pace during the three practice sessions, but fans had hoped that the variable weather conditions had mixed things up and hidden the true performance levels. This was not the case.

The strategy from the Maranello pit wall will certainly be debated, as they sent Leclerc and Sainz out in the crucial moments of Q2 on used soft tires. Knowing that rain was very likely to come in Q3, it might have made sense to use all the sets of new softs, especially on a track where it is easy to get caught in a DRS train. Tomorrow, the team will rely on an unpredictable race to try and climb back up the order.