Alert – Formula 1 – Canadian Grand Prix qualifying: Live timings and lap-by-lap updates as Ferrari and McLaren look to continue their battle with Red Bull – News Alerts

20:06

Here comes Lance Stroll!

Some loud cheers from the partisan Canadian crowd, as their man goes top of the timesheets, very temporarily.

Seconds later, the Mercs arrive and George Russell takes top spot. Right now, the top three are separated by less than a tenth of a second.

20:05

Verstappen goes fastest

The first man to put in a meaningful lap at the start of Q1 is world champion Max Verstappen, who sets a 1:15.194 – almost 10 full seconds quicker than his nearest rival.

20:03

How it works

A reminder that we begin with an 18-minute Q1 session… with the bottom five dropping out at the end of that. After that, Q2 will see us lose another five drivers – before the remaining 10 battle it out in Q3.

We’ll bring you all the lap-by-lap updates over the next hour.

20:00

Here we go…

A big queue of cars at the end of the pit lane – headed up by Valtteri Bottas – and we have a green light to begin the session.

Qualifying is underway!

19:58

Breaking:Rain is coming!

Wow – an 80% chance of rain in the next hour, according to latest weather reports.

That aforementioned wind in Montreal is blowing the weather through pretty quickly, and now it seems like we might get a wet session. Exciting news!

19:51

10 minutes to go…

Get yourselves locked in, because it’s nearly go-time in Montreal.

The drivers are getting strapped in, and we’re close to the start of Q1.

The wind has really picked up here – let’s see if that wreaks any havoc on track.

19:50

All fun and games in the paddock…

The hilarious moment Lewis Hamilton is asked for ID at the Canadian GP

The seven-time world champion is among the most globally recognised faces in sport, after a storied career in motor racing that has seen him win world titles with McLaren and Mercedes.

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19:48

The full drivers' picture

Here’s where we’re at – officially – with drivers for 2025.

We are, of course, reporting Bearman to Haas, so lock that one in too.

Elsewhere, it’d be a big surprise if Lance Stroll was dropped out of Aston Martin given the fact his dad owns the team.

At Mercedes, it’s looking increasingly like young Kimi Antontelli will replace Lewis Hamilton, and Liam Lawson is the most favored to join Tsunoda at RB.

Any thoughts on the others? Tweet me @bennagle17 or comment below!

19:45

Watch out for that wall

Montreal is famous for its Wall of Champions on the final turn, so named because of the wealth of winners that have ended up at its mercy.

Just this morning, Max Verstappen had a little tap and got away with it, while Alex Albon also sustained some damage. Expect a bit more where that came from when the real action gets underway in just 15 minutes’ time.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 hits the Wall of Champions during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 08, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

19:39

Pole predictions

Who’s my money on? Well, as you’ve asked…

I think Red Bull and Max Verstappen will have sorted out their FP1 and FP2 issues ebough to get the Dutchman back firing on all cylinders. There’s been a lot of question marks over whether they’re still as dominant as they were previously, but my prediction is that he’ll pull a big lap out of the bag and nick pole.

Behind him, I think Oscar Piastri will complete the front row, with Lewis Hamilton P3. Norris P4, and Sergio Perez P5.

Worth screenshotting this so you’ve got it later.

19:36

Beaming Bearman

The young Brit – still only 19 – walking round the paddock this morning with a big old smile on his face. It’s almost like he’s had some good news.

RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (14528680dq) Oliver Bearman of the UK is driving as the third Scuderia Ferrari driver during the Formula 1 AWS Grand Prix Du Canada in Montreal, Canada, on June 6, 2024. F1 Grand Prix of Canada - Practice, Montreal - 06 Jun 2024

19:33

Officially offical

19:30

30 minutes until qualifying!

The grandstands are filling up, and we’re just half an hour away from the start of the session here in Montreal.

The weather is a mixture of cloud and sunshine, and it’s expected to stay dry throughout. Excitement really building.

19:28

All the driver news is coming out today…

So after Mail Sport broke the news of Bearman to Haas, there’s another confirmed place on the grid for 2025 with Yuki Tsunoda staying at RB.

There’s still some question marks over who will be alongside him, with current team-mate Daniel Ricciardo out of contract at the end of 2024. Liam Lawson still looks to be an option.

They were one of the last teams to confirm their 2024 line-up, so don’t expect it to be locked down any time soon.

As for Bearman’s partner at Haas, that’s also yet to be decided. Nico Hulkenberg is definitely off to Sauber (soon to be Audi!), and there’s question marks over whether they’ll move away from Kevin Magnussen in a new direction. Some options: Bottas, Zhou, Ocon

19:22

Breaking:Tsunoda EXTENDS with RB

We’d heard whispers in the paddock this afternoon, and now it’s official: Yuki Tsunoda is staying with Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App RB, for 2025.

19:21

Full FP3 standings

Here’s how they all shook out at the end of FP3…

19:16

Some snaps from Montreal

MONTREAL, CANADA - JUNE 8: Zhou Guanyu of China gets out of the (24) Kick Sauber C44 Ferrari after crashing into the barriers during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 8, 2024 in Montreal, Canada.(Photo by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images)

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari prepares to drive in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 08, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton arrives in the paddock for the third practice and qualifying sessions ahead of the 2024 Canada Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 8, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 is pushed back into the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 08, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

19:13

Who will be on pole?

Well, that’s the million-dollar question. But it’s looking like it’ll be a lot, lot closer than it would have been a couple of months ago.

Much to the excitement of the majority of F1 fans, Red Bull’s dominance looks to be waning ever so slightly, and there’s some question marks over how they’ll perform in Montreal this afternoon, and in tomorrow’s race.

In FP3 – which finished an hour or so ago – Lewis Hamilton produced a blisteringly quick lap to top the timesheets, so we wait to see whether that was an anomaly or a sign of things to come.

Elsewhere, McLaren look very quick again, Aston Martin are having a good weekend – and Ferrari look considerably off the pace they anticipated. That said, the real work starts in qualy, so we’ll see what happens.

19:10

Why Montreal is worth a watch

While we’re building up to qualifying (T-minus 50 minutes now) here’s a look at why this race is so beloved – and is perhaps the best North America has to offer.

Vegas has glitz, Miami has glamour – but don't forget about Montreal

BEN NAGLE IN MONTREAL: In the pecking order of North America's Formula 1 calendar, it's fair to say Canada has become the oft-forgotten little brother of the glitzy USA races.

Mail Online

19:06

A weather update

It’s been a crazy couple of days of weather here in Montreal. The first day of running yesterday was marred by thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain ahead of FP1, and then we’ve had some bright sunshine this morning for FP3.

In the last hour, it’s rained very heavily again – but the sun’s now back out and it doesn’t seem as though there’s any more on the forecast.

From a racing perspective, it would have been nice to have a wet session – but that’s looking unlikely!

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 08: Daniel Ricciardo of driving the (3) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 08, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

19:04

First, some exclusive breaking news…

Where better to start than with an exclusive story from my esteemed colleague Jonathan McEvoy, who this morning broke the news of young English sensation Oliver Bearman joining Haas for the 2025 season.

He starred earlier in the season when he jumped in a Ferrari in Jeddah, and now he’s been tied down for his first season in the sport.

For the full story, click below…

Oliver Bearman will join Haas in 2025 after starring with Ferrari

EXCLUSIVE BY JONATHAN MCEVOY: Mail Sport can reveal that the 19-year-old from Essex has secretly signed a deal that will make him the fourth British driver on the grid.

Mail Online

19:01

Good afternoon from Montreal!

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for the qualifying session at the Canadian Grand Prix.

I’m Ben Nagle, and you join me live from trackside at Montreal, where preparations are well underway for the session, which starts in a little under an hour.

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