Mercedes’ championship leader led the way from Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

George Russell withdrew from the race on Sunday.

Russell will line up at the front of the grid for the third time in a row in Montreal.

But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told the Italian to “stop the radio moaning”.

Russell will share the front of the grid with Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with McLaren occupying the second row.

Russell was the pre-season championship favourite but fellow Mercedes driver Antonelli has won three straight races.

The Italian clinched a third successive victory at the Miami Grand Prix.

Sunday’s race was moved forward by three hours to 1300 local time as F1 bosses fought to beat the forecast thunderstorms later in the afternoon.

The FIA had earlier made a rain hazard declaration ahead of Sunday’s 57-lap race.

Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races to lead the standings by nine points.

Kimi Antonelli won his second successive race at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, with Mercedes team-mate Russell in fourth.

Antonelli took advantage of a safety car period following British driver Ollie Bearman’s 140mph crash in Suzuka to land a free pit-stop.

Verstappen was eliminated in Q2 in Japan and out-qualified by his Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar.

The Australian edged out Kimi Antonelli by 0.092 seconds in Suzuka with George Russell third.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will lead to a big shake-up on the Formula One grid.