Russell claims pole ahead of team-mate Antonelli at Canadian GP

George Russell landed a double blow on team-mate Kimi Antonelli in Montreal as the gloves came off in the title fight. The 28-year-old beat his young team-mate to pole position by 0. 068 seconds at the Canadian Gand Prix – the same margin as in sprint qualifying on Friday – after being accused of pushing Antonelli off the track in the earlier sprint race.

Russell saved his best lap for the end to claim a fifth successive pole for Mercedes and his third in a row in Montreal, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claiming third and fourth. The title scrap, which had been calm and civilized across the first four races, erupted during the sprint when Antonelli had to take to the grass after banging wheels when trying to overtake Russell at turn one. The Italian demanded a penalty for Russell and had to be told to "stop the radio moaning" by team principal Toto Wolff.

Antonelli had two points shaved off his championship lead after, amid his fury, later the same lap he locked up and bounced across the grass at turn eight which allowed Norris through to claim second. Despite a failed lunge on Norris on the final lap, Antonelli had to settle for third as his anger continued when he crossed the line. Mercedes said they had debriefed the situation between the sprint and the qualifying session for Sunday's main race.

Wolff told Sky Sports: "We sat them down and said, 'how do we want to race? ' It is a framework they have established among themselves and we are happy. "No one is expecting the other to leave space as it is too important.