The FIA have confirmed the official starting grid for the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, with an unpredictable weather forecast providing hope of yet more drama in Montreal.
Rain is set to hit the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a greasy track expected, heightening the anticipation for a race that has been set up brilliantly by a Saturday qualifying full of surprises.
F1 Headlines: Verstappen forced into MAJOR change as Ferrari star ‘signs secret deal’
READ MORE: F1 fans hit by Canadian Grand Prix ‘cancelled’ blunder
George Russell secured a dramatic pole position, edging out championship leader Max Verstappen in a nail-biting conclusion to set up a fascinating starting grid.
It was the first time since the 1997 European GP that the top two had exactly the same time, with Russell coming out on top simply because he set his time before Verstappen.
Verstappen will be breathing down the Brit’s neck at the start, with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Daniel Ricciardo all rounding out the top five.
Lewis Hamilton, who looked strong in previous sessions, fell short in Q3, ending up a surprising seventh, just under three tenths off pole.
This wasn’t the only disappointment of the day, though, as Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both failed to progress beyond Q2, leaving them a mountain to climb in the race.
Furthermore, Sergio Perez, who recently signed a contract extension with the Milton Keynes outfit, finished 16th on the grid, marking his second straight Q1 exit.
READ MORE: F1 Canadian Grand Prix: What is the Wall of Champions?
F1 Canadian Grand Prix 2024 starting grid
1. George Russell [Mercedes]: – 1:12.000sec
2. Max Verstappen [Red Bull]: – +0.000sec
3. Lando Norris [McLaren]: – +0.021sec
4. Oscar Piastri [McLaren]: – +0.103sec
5. Daniel Ricciardo [VCARB]: – +0.178sec
6. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]: – +0.228sec
7. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes]: – +0.280sec
8. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB]: – +0.414sec
9. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin]: – +0.701sec
10. Alex Albon [Williams]: – +0.796sec
11. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari]: – +0.691sec
12. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari]: – +0.728sec
13. Logan Sargeant [Williams]: – +0.736sec
14. Kevin Magnussen [Haas]: – +0.916sec
15. Pierre Gasly [Alpine]: – +0.940sec
16. Sergio Perez [Red Bull]: – +1.326sec
17. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas]: – +1.978sec
18. Esteban Ocon [Alpine]: – +1.435sec
Pit-lane start:
19. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber]
20. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber]
Note: Ocon has a five-place grid penalty carried over from the Monaco GP.
Both Bottas and Guanyu will start from the pit-lane due to their Sauber cars being modified under parc ferme rules.
When is the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix?
Lights out in Canada set for 2pm local time on Sunday, June 9. This translates to 7pm in the UK, 1pm CDT, and 11am PDT, as well as 4am in Australia on Monday.
READ MORE: F1 Race Today: Canadian Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV