Verstappen takes dominant Canada pole as Alonso secures best result since 2012

Verstappen was dominant throughout the three segments of qualifying at the Circuit Gilles Villenueve, ultimately claiming his maiden pole in Canada by over 0.6s.

Alonso will join him on the front row of the grid, converting his strong pace in practice into a sensational qualifying result - his best since the 2012 German Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz will start from third after making a mistake on his final run in qualifying out of the final chicane.

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Lewis Hamilton was fourth ahead of Haas duo Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, with the latter enjoying his career-best qualifying performance.

Esteban Ocon could only manage seventh, while George Russell was only eighth after his slick tyre gamble didn’t pay off at the end of Q3.

Daniel Ricciardo qualified ninth ahead of Guanyu Zhou, who made Q3 for the first time in his F1 career and out-qualified teammate Valtteri Bottas for the second race in a row.

Bottas will start from 11th on the grid after he was eliminated at Ocon’s expense in the dying stages of Q2.

Alex Albon enjoyed his best qualifying of the year for Williams in 12th, just ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who crashed with nine minutes on the clock, causing a brief red flag period.

It was a costly error for the Mexican as he locked up into Turn 3, spearing into the barriers.

Lando Norris was also knocked out in Q2 after a power unit issue hampered his progress.

After the red flag, Charles Leclerc didn’t return to the track after taking even more engine components and thus will be forced to start from the back of the grid.

Surprise Q1 exits for Vettel and Gasly

Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel was the surprise early exit in qualifying for the Canadian GP.

Vettel showed outstanding pace throughout the three practice sessions, particularly during FP3 in the wet conditions.

The German was third fastest in FP3 but only managed 17th in Q1.

He vented his frustration over team radio: "I mean, what was that? So different to this morning. So different. I had no grip. Felt like the rear left was broken, man. Ah, man!"

Pierre Gasly was also knocked out in Q1 after ending final practice inside the top two, securing 16th.

Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi and Yuki Tsunoda - who was going to start from the back of the grid regardless of where he qualified due to engine penalties - also fell at the first hurdle.

Leclerc, Albon and Sainz are all required to see the stewards after the session for driving too slowly in Q1.