Jumbled grid promises gripping Canadian GP

As Max Verstappen seeks to claim a first Canadian GP victory, a jumbled grid behind him has ensured Montreal's first race since 2019 will be action-packed.

A combination of a wet qualifying session and Charles Leclerc's engine woes saw the usual pecking order change, with the Ferrari driver starting from the back row after taking a new power unit for the race.

The one unsurprising element to Saturday's thrilling action was Max Verstappen's supreme performance, which saw the world championship leader seal pole position.

Fernando Alonso joins Verstappen on the front row, but it is likely to be the Spaniard positioned directly behind him on the grid, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who poses the biggest threat to a fifth victory in six races for the Red Bull driver.

Sainz, who has struggled to match his team-mate Leclerc's pace all season, has the perfect opportunity to prove his worth as he starts from third on Sunday.

"Anything can happen," he said. "P3 is still a good position to start and we can get to the top.

"It all depends how long it will take me to clear Fernando, if I clear him, because he's been super-quick all weekend.

"The target is for sure to get behind Max as soon as possible and then apply pressure on the Red Bull."

Verstappen is refusing to get ahead of himself, despite having a brilliant chance to extend his world championship leader over his nearest challengers.

"I think in the long runs it was very closely matched between us and Ferrari, so I still expect it to be a close battle," he said.

"Of course Charles and Checo have to come from a bit further behind, but Carlos is close, so that will be a good battle for sure."

Armed with a brand-new power unit, Leclerc will be a man on a mission as he starts the race