Canadian GP: Max Verstappen ready for fast-starting Fernando Alonso as he bids to extend championship lead

Max Verstappen says that he will have to be ready for a fast-starting Fernando Alonso at the Canadian GP this evening with the Spaniard on the front row for the first time in a Formula 1 race for a frankly unbelievable 10 years.

Wet conditions in Montreal made for a bit of a leveller in terms of car pace and driver ability, and it was the two-time champion who stole the show as he put his Alpine car into P2, alongside the current champ Verstappen.

Max, of course, is no slouch in the wet and underlined his talent in the slippery conditions by going six-tenths faster than anyone else, but he knows that he is going to have his hands full this afternoon heading into turn one as Alonso looks to beat him to it off of the line.

Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said:

“I know he starts very well you know, so I have to be ready.

“Of course I still expect it not to be straightforward race but I think today with the tricky conditions, we stayed calm, we didn’t make mistakes and we had the right calls in Q3.

“So of course [I’m] super happy with that you know, to get pole position here and also to be back here in Montreal, it’s been a while and it’s great to see all the fans.

“You really get that kind of like go-karting sensation back with like real proper kerbs around here. So we always enjoy driving here and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

It’s a front row we’ve not seen in F1 before but it’s certainly one we’ve been waiting for, and hopefully the fireworks into turn one are worth the wait.