Max Verstappen is the rain king of Canada: The world champion clinches his second pole position of the 2022 season on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and shows all his skills in the rain and on a drying track with a lead of six tenths of a second. Strong too: Alpine star Fernando Alonso in second place ahead of his Spanish compatriot Carlos Sainz.
“A great feeling,” says the 40-year-old Alonso. “I felt super comfortable in the car and will attack Max in the first corner.”
Fernando Alonso will start the Canadian GP from the front row.
At Red Bull, you’re not afraid of that. “The age difference is almost 20 years, but Alonso is a fair opponent,” emphasizes Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, who is impressed by the performance of his own protégé Max Verstappen. “It was such a show of power. He was a second ahead at times – without any doubts. I haven’t seen such an impressive performance in a long time.”
Mick Schumacher drove the best qualifying of his F1 career.
The German is thus building on the 2021 season, where he also demonstrated his special feeling in the rain. “I have a lot of fun looking for and finding the grip,” confirms Mick. “Hopefully we can stay in that position and move forward.” However, he also admits that he drove with more downforce: “We have a bit more wings on it, but with DRS we can still keep at it.”
Sixth place also puts team boss Günther Steiner in a good mood: “Günther said ‘thank you’ to me,” reveals Schumacher, who draws a positive conclusion: “We were confident in this qualifying, that counts.” Uncle Ralf Schumacher does not expect a very easy Sunday at Sky: “It will be difficult for Haas with tire wear,” he believes, and advises his nephew: “Mick shouldn’t break anything and finish before his teammate.”
George Russell (Mercedes) finishes eighth after slipping on slicks.
Ferrari star Charles Leclerc is satisfied with 15th place: After his engine change, he has to start from the back anyway and saves kilometers. “We did the job we had to do,” he says.
Sebastian Vettel had to retire early from qualifying.
Behind him are only Nicholas Latifi (Williams) and Yuki Tsunoda (after changing the engine). Surprising exit in 16th place for Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri).
Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix
qualifying, result
2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Alpine +0.645s
3. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) – Ferrari +0.797
4. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +1,592
5. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) – Haas +1.661
6. Mick Schumacher (Gland/Switzerland) – Haas +2.057
7. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine +2,230
8. George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +2.258
9. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) – McLaren +2,450
10. Zhou Guanyu (China) – Alfa Romeo +2.731
11. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) – Alfa Romeo 1:26.788
12. Alexander Albon (Thailand) – Williams 1:26.858
13. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull 1:33.127
14. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari 1:33.008;
15. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren 1:34.066
16. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpha Tauri 1:34.492
17. Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim) – Aston Martin 1:34.512
18. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin 1:35.532
19. Nicholas Latifi (Canada) – Williams 1:35,660
20. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri 1:36.575
