George Russell edges Max Verstappen to claim first Mercedes pole of season at Canadian GP

George Russell secured Mercedes' first pole position of the season on Saturday after edging Max Verstappen at the front of the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Russell and Red Bull's world champion Verstappen shared a best lap time of one minute and 12.000 seconds, but it was the Briton who took the prime starting spot because he set his lap time earlier in the session.

In a dramatic conclusion to a closely-contested qualifying session, the Mercedes driver was unable to improve on his Q2 time while Red Bull's series leader and three-time world champion shaved more than a second off his lap.

It was enough to lift the Dutchman to the front row of the grid alongside the Briton, who secured his second career pole to give a boost to Mercedes as they emerge from a long period in the doldrums thanks to successive upgrade packages.

"Amazing, amazing!" said a delighted Russell on Mercedes team radio. "Right, now we've got a race to win! I've missed this feeling, So much hard work back at the factory has gone into this."

Verstappen, who was chasing a third successive Montreal pole, was philosophical, saying: "It is what it is. Going into qualifying, I would have taken that."

Lando Norris was third just 0.021 seconds off their pace ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, RB's Daniel Ricciardo, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes.

"Congrats to Mr Russell," said Norris. "I am happy with third. A good job by us so I am happy and excited."

Yuki Tsunoda was eighth in the second RB ahead of Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin and Williams Alex Albon with the two Ferraris failing to make the top 10 shootout.

Charles Leclerc, an emotional home winner of the