Norris is already 82 points off the title pace after suffering two retirements and failing to start one of the nine rounds.

The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of speculation throughout the season.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is a late retirement as British driver snaps long winless streak.

The seven-time world champion was just 0.064 seconds off clinching his first pole position since Hungary in July 2023.

The Silver Arrows have won every race this season and Russell ensured they were back on top after Lando Norris topped Friday practice for McLaren.

Russell failed to score for the second race in succession.

The 26-year-old world champion, who is preparing for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, is now in his eighth season on the grid.

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 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.

Verstappen has been a huge critic of F1’s new rules and hinted at the last round in Japan that he could walk away.

The pair were recognised at the event in Madrid on Monday evening, while tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka picked up the main awards.

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.

Antonelli delivered a composed drive from pole position at the Shanghai International Circuit.

George Russell took second on the grid as Mercedes secured a second straight front-row lockout.

Hamilton had to settle for third as Russell – a winner in Australia six days ago – took the chequered flag 0.6 seconds clear of Charles Leclerlc.

The two-time world champion is the first-ever darts player to be shortlisted for the prestigious Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.

It is understood F1 executives have already spoken to the four-time world champion to address his concerns.

The British driver, 28, arrived for the new campaign in Melbourne as the bookmakers’ favourite.

Norris became the 11th British driver to take the F1 crown last year.

Norris is celebrating becoming just the 11th driver from Britain to win an F1 title.

Norris trails McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by 34 points in the drivers’ title race.

Norris led the way in the concluding running prior to qualifying.

The Briton made an astonishing admission after qualifying 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The British driver set a new record around the streets of Monte Carlo to beat local hero Charles Leclerc to pole by 0.109 seconds.

Norris heads into the sixth round of the new season 10 points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Piastri and Lando Norris completed a McLaren one-two, with George Russell third and Hamilton back in sixth.

Norris fell short in his quest to take his first title last year after Max Verstappen saw off his challenge to land his fourth consecutive crown.

Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris set the two fastest times in final practice.

Carlos Sainz took pole for Sunday’s race.

Charles Leclerc led home a Ferrari one-two.

The McLaren driver heads into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin 52 points adrift of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Championship leader Max Verstappen will start sixth on the grid in Baku.

The 24-year-old has emerged as Verstappen’s closest rival.

Norris was trailing Verstappen heading into the final runs at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya before he delivered the goods to take top spot.

Max Verstappen claimed victory ahead of McLaren driver Norris after a safety car was brought out at the Canadian Grand Prix

Senna had eight consecutive poles over the 1988 and 1989 seasons.

Verstappen suffered a brake failure after just four laps of Sunday’s 58-lap race.

The British driver started from top spot in Saturday’s 24-lap dash to the chequered flag in Interlagos.