Piastri, F1 leader, optimistic after P3 in Canada: Russell on pole

Piastri Keeps Hope Alive After Qualifying in Canada

Formula 1 leader Oscar Piastri was optimistic after a qualifying session in which McLaren boss Andrea Stella spoke of “damage limitation” for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix. The Australian driver will start third on the grid. His teammate, Lando Norris, is in seventh position and is 10 points behind in the standings after nine of 24 races. George Russell, from Mercedes, secured the pole position. Max Verstappen, from Red Bull and winner of the last three editions, will accompany him on the front row, repeating the 2024 classification at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal.

Our pace on race days is generally our strong point. These two next to me were very fast in yesterday’s runs, so it won’t be an easy victory, but I think we are definitely in the fight.

Oscar Piastri

The session, which was a gift for those who speak of the bad blood between Russell and Verstappen after a notable crash in Spain, left McLaren off the pace in a difficult session. It was the first time Mercedes had achieved pole position this season.

The situation changes completely for the race, that’s what we have to focus on. I think that in terms of race pace we should be a little more comfortable, but we’ll see. This weekend could be about damage limitation.

Andrea Stella

Norris will certainly have a battle to get on the podium.

[I made] a couple of big mistakes, one hitting the wall on the last lap exiting turn 7 and also on the first lap on the last corner. Mistakes that cost me.

Lando Norris

We haven’t been as fast as usual, and maybe it wasn’t the car to get the pole position, but it should have been enough to be in the top three. It’s a very easy clue to force 1% more and pay the price, and that’s what happened today. A podium will be difficult because we don’t have the pace we’ve had in the last races.