Russell hints at wet-weather setup tweaks that compromised Mercedes' performance in dry qualifying

F1 Grand Prix, GP Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Despite clinching pole position for today's Canadian Grand Prix with his last-lap effort, Mercedes driver George Russell hinted that some wet-weather setup tweaks compromised the Brackley-based team's performance in dry Montreal qualifying.

Russell launched cleanly from pole in the Sprint, but the opening laps quickly became a private duel between the two Mercedes drivers. Antonelli attacked repeatedly, even making light contact as he tried to force a move around the outside. The Italian felt he had been pushed wide and voiced his frustration on the radio—only to be told by the pit wall to refocus.

A second off‑track excursion opened the door for Lando Norris, dropping Antonelli to third while Russell controlled the remainder of the race to claim his first Sprint win since Shanghai.

Reflecting on the session, Russell emphasised both the intensity of the fight and the value of the team’s upgrade package: "We had a good day yesterday and we've had another good day today.

"The team has worked really hard to bring a major update this weekend and it's helped us stay just ahead of the competition. We've been made to work for it with McLaren right on us in the Sprint.

"The battle between Kimi and I was hard but fair; it gave Norris an opportunity to close up but we were pleased to bring home the win and score another good haul of points for the team."

Mercedes entered qualifying knowing they had sacrificed some one‑lap performance to prepare for Sunday’s expected cooler, changeable conditions. Russell felt the effects immediately, struggling to generate tyre temperature and locking up on his first Q3 attempt.

Antonelli, by contrast, pieced together a superb final lap to take provisional pole. But Russell—under pressure, lacking confidence, and still wrestling with the car—found just enough in the final sector to overturn the deficit.

He explained the challenge in detail: "It wasn't just McLaren that put us under pressure in Qualifying. Ferrari and Red Bull were also in the fight for pole as we were struggling to get the tyres working and struggling with a temperature imbalance across the axles.

"I was lacking confidence throughout the session, but the team did a great job to nail our tyre preparation in Q3 and give us the chance to take pole position."

With rain forecast and temperatures expected to drop, Russell acknowledged that the team’s setup gamble may yet prove decisive.

"We're expecting cooler conditions tomorrow, along with some rain, so we don't fully know what to expect. We will do all the necessary preparation though and hopefully we can end the weekend on a high by fighting for the win."