George Russell says he did not need “validation” of his abilities after being outshone by Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli so far this season ahead of earning pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint.Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, only for Antonelli to then reel off three victories in a row, in China, Japan and Miami, to open up a 20-point lead over the Brit at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.
Russell – who finished fourth in Florida last time out – pipped the young Italian by 0.068s in Montreal on Friday as Mercedes sealed a one-two in Sprint Qualifying.
He said afterwards: “I’ve been in the sport for seven years and the trends have been there for seven years.”It’s just you guys now see it because I’m fighting for victories and for a championship. I didn’t need that validation.
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Watch how Russell earned Sprint pole position at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
“Maybe if we had [the cancelled races] in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia between Miami [and Japan], and they were good races like we had in Melbourne and China, the conversation wouldn’t have even been there.
“This feels great after a tough Miami but I never doubted myself. I know what I can do. Miami is unique but this is an amazing circuit with high grip.
“It feels you are driving a proper F1 car around here, which is how it should be.”Wolff: Good for both drivers to fight like thisMercedes team principal Toto Wolff insists he had “never doubted” Russell, who claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix a year ago, and feels his internal battle with Antonelli can only benefit the Silver Arrows.
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Full highlights of Sprint Qualifying in Montreal as Russell and Kimi Antonelli claimed a Mercedes one-two, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Wolff added: “It’s only the baby race but still it’s good to see the pace is there, also for [Russell’s] confidence. But I’ve never doubted, we’ve never doubted in that. Miami was a bad track.”It’s always clear that…
2026-05-23 00:00:00
