The qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix left moments of high tension at Mercedes. George Russell managed to snatch pole position from Kimi Antonelli at the last moment of the session, held under unusual 33-degree heat in Montreal. The internal tension within the team, already heated after the sprint race, exploded on the track. As if that weren't enough, Fernando Alonso was eliminated in Q1 without finding any rhythm, and Carlos Sainz also failed to get past Q2.
Montreal's asphalt, a thermometer for the tires 🌡️
The high temperatures in Montreal, atypical for this time of year, pushed the thermal management of the compounds to the limit. Teams reported premature overheating in the rear tires, forcing more aggressive cooling strategies on the preparation laps. The Mercedes W16 showed solid performance in the third sector, key for Russell to set the definitive time. However, the lack of grip in Q1 and Q2 for Alonso and Sainz suggests that aerodynamic balance was compromised by degradation.
Russell's pole and the drama of those left in the garage 😬
While Russell celebrated his pole, tension in the Mercedes garage could be cut with a knife. Kimi Antonelli, who had dominated the session until the very last moment, saw his teammate steal the spotlight on the final lap. On the Aston Martin side, Alonso was already planning his move to his new home, and Sainz was probably missing Ferrari's air conditioning. The heat not only melted the asphalt, but also the nerves of more than one.