Formula 1 heads to Montreal next for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend - and the third sprint race of the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive start to the campaign with his third consecutive victory last time out in Miami. The Italian 19-year-old now has a 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who is eyeing a return to form at a track he won at last year. PREVIEW: How Hamilton can channel winning spirit of Arsenal in MontrealMcLaren took a big step in Miami, with reigning world champion Lando Norris finishing second and teammate Oscar Piastri in third, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified on the front row in an improved car. It was a trickier weekend for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc punished with post-race penalties and Lewis Hamilton only finishing sixth. Hamilton is a seven-time winner around the Montreal street circuit and won his first-ever F1 race here back in 2007. Follow live updates with The Independent at the Canadian Grand PrixF1 Canadian Grand Prix sprint race Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the sprint race in Canada. George Russell claimed a much-needed pole position in qualifying yesterday, with Kimi Antonelli in second and Lando Norris in third. Can Russell make some ground back on Antonelli’s 20-point lead? We’ll find out at 5pm (BST). (Getty)Kieran Jackson23 May 2026 15:18F1 starting grid: 1. George Russell 2. Kimi Antonelli 3. Lando Norris 4. Oscar Piastri 5. Lewis Hamilton 6. Charles Leclerc 7. Max Verstappen 8. Isack Hadjar 9. Arvid Lindblad10. Carlos Sainz11. Nico Hulkenberg 12. Gabriel Bortoleto 13. Franco Colapinto 14. Esteban Ocon 15. Ollie Bearman 16. Fernando Alonso 17. Sergio Perez 18. Lance Stroll 19. Pierre Gasly 20. Valtteri Bottas 21. Alex Albon 22. Liam LawsonKieran Jackson22 May 2026 23:59George Russell bids to begin F1 championship fightback with sprint pole in CanadaThe Italian has won the last three races to turn the tables on his experienced team-mate and hold a 20-point advantage heading into this fifth round of the season.Russell played down his deficit to the 19-year-old last time out in Miami by suggesting it was not a track he enjoyed but the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is – having claimed pole for the last two years and winning last season.Full report below: Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 23:25Top-10 in sprint qualifying1. George Russell 2. Kimi Antonelli 3. Lando Norris 4. Oscar Piastri 5. Lewis Hamilton 6. Charles Leclerc 7. Max Verstappen 8. Isack Hadjar 9. Arvid Lindblad10. Carlos SainzKieran Jackson22 May 2026 23:10George Russell after claiming pole:”This is an amazing circuit, high grip, feels like you're driving a Formula 1 car. The team have done a great job to bring the upgrade forward, pleased to be back in P1, it's been a little while.”Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:51Russell retains poleRussell pips Antonelli to pole... JUST! The Brit went quicker at the end and pipped the Italian by 0.068 secs - with Lando Norris in third, three-tenths down. 4-10: Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hadjar, Kindblad, Sainz (Getty)Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:37George Russell on provisional poleRussell takes pole to start with a 1:13:194 - 0.217 secs ahead of Lewis Hamilton in second! 3-10: Antonelli, Verstappen, Hadjar, Piastri, Leclerc, Lindblad, Norris, Sainz Can Hamilton get ahead with his second lap? Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:32SQ3 underwayHere we go then - the quickfire eight-minute top-10 shootout! Drivers involved: Russell, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Hadjar, Sainz, LindbladKieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:27Verstappen escapes in P9In the end, nobody bothered Verstappen! That being said, he’s complaining his car is “jumpy” - not ideal heading into SQ3. Carlos Sainz nicks back 10th from Nico Hulkenberg right at the death. Out in SQ2 (11-16): Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman, Alonso(PA)Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:21Verstappen only ninth-fastestIs the Red Bull man in trouble here?! Sainz in 10th, followed by: Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman, Hulkenberg, AlonsoLast laps in now....Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:17