Canada GP Sprint Qualifying Report

There were so many reasons to look forward to this race.  The Brits were excited that Hamilton might be strong for a win as he gained his maiden victory at Canada.  The Brits were excited because it would probably rain (indeed the race start time had already been put back before a wheel had graced the tarmac).  The Brits were excited that Russell might attempt a comeback at a title challenge rather than let his young upstart team mate walk away with the drivers' championship.

It was not going well for the Brits or the wildlife though as Albon hit a groundhog on the track and then crashed his car.  Williams could not fix it in time for him to compete in Sprint Qualifying.  Lawson also wouldn't be starting because he had a hydraulics problem.

The drivers went out and tootled about and all was as normal until Alonso went into the barriers and the session was Red Flagged.  He had locked up and went nose-first into the tyres, which would have hurt and the barriers would need to be fixed.  Drivers were desperate to be first out of the pit lane.  Mechanics were poised with hands raised to let them out.  Hamilton had been the quickest but still felt the need to go out again at the restart.  The next eight stayed in the pits.  Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman and Gasly did not get across the starting line in time.  Stroll was not able to better his time or gave up.  Out went Perez, Stroll, Gasly, Bottas, Albon and Lawson.

In the second session, Russell finally found his groove and was the quickest driver.  There were a few cars fighting it out to just get through with Verstappen crossing everything in ninth place.  It was Sainz who took tenth, which will make Williams wonder what Albon could have done.  Out went Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto , Ocon, Bearman and Alonso, who could not go out with his broken car.

Hamilton continued to look strong in the final session.  With two minutes to go Russell went quickest with all purple sectors and the commentators called it.  However Hamilton was still going along with a few others.  They were stretching the life of the tyres and Norris was able to get onto the front row, knocking Hamilton off; Piastri pushing him back further.  Hamilton should have come out later because Antonelli was also able to put in a quicker lap.  The grid would like up with Russell on pole, then Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hadjar, Linblad and Sainz.

The questions for Saturday would be whether Russell could maintain this advantage and whether Mercedes will continue their run of poor starts.  There are a number of drivers who could take the win.  Giving that the Sprint is supposed to be speedy was quite lengthy in the end thanks to Alonso.