Here's the full starting grid for the 2026 F1 Canadian Grand Prix
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Following a dramatic Qualifying on Saturday, the grid has been set for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, with all eyes yet again on Mercedes following George Russell and Kimi Antonelli's clash during the Sprint Race.
It is the Mercedes duo that line up on the front row, with Russell on Pole Position after a thrilling last-ditch lap in Q3, his 1:12.578 was enough to edge out his teenage teammate Antonelli, who had to calm down heading into Qualifying after making contact with Russell in the Sprint.
On the second row come the two McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, respectively. World champion Lando Norris is set for a P3 start after his second place finish in the Sprint - the Briton admitted he enjoyed taking advantage of the Mercedes scrap, likening his current championship situation to Max Verstappen's heroic fightback in 2025.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen make up an intriguing third row, in P5 and P6, respectively, while Red Bull's Hadjar will be buoyed by a closer relative performance to his teammate than last time out in Miami. The Frenchman starts in P7 next to Charles Leclerc.
Photo: Race Pictures
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Leclerc lamented a poor qualifying on Saturday, telling media, including GPblog: "This Qualifying was a disaster. I think it was the most difficult weekend of my career. Without exaggerating, it was horrible."
Rounding up the Top 10 should be Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, who continues to impress, as does Alpine's Franco Colapinto in tenth, ahead of teammate Pierre Gasly (P14) for the second race weekend in a row.
Further down the grid, it is a familiar sight as the Aston Martins and Cadillacs make up the bottom four. Alex Albon starts in P18 after a tough Saturday, behind the two Haas cars and his Williams teammate Carlos Sainz.
There could still yet be a twist to the starting grid, which is currently provisional until the FIA release the official grid closer to race start at 21:00 UK time.
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The provisional starting grid for the 2026 Canadian GP
| P | Driver | Time |
| P1 | George Russell | 1:12.578 |
| P2 | Kimi Antonelli | 1:12.646 |
| P3 | Lando Norris | 1:12.729 |
| P4 | Oscar Piastri | 1:12.781 |
| P5 | Lewis Hamilton | 1:12.868 |
| P6 | Max Verstappen | 1:12.907 |
| P7 | Isack Hadjar | 1:12.935 |
| P8 | Charles Leclerc | 1:12.976 |
| P9 | Arvid Lindblad | 1:13.280 |
| P10 | Franco Colapinto | 1:13.697 |
| P11 | Nico Hulkenberg | 1:13.886 |
| P12 | Liam Lawson | 1:13.897 |
| P13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | 1:14.071 |
| P14 | Pierre Gasly | 1:14.187 |
| P15 | Carlos Sainz | 1:14.273 |
| P16 | Oliver Bearman | 1:14.416 |
| P17 | Esteban Ocon | 1:14.845 |
| P18 | Alexander Albon | 1:14.851 |
| P19 | Fernando Alonso | 1:15.196 |
| P20 | Sergio Perez | 1:15.429 |
| P21 | Lance Stroll | 1:16.195 |
| P22 | Valtteri Bottas | 1:16.272 |
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