In a race weekend filled with surprises, George Russell’s pole position on medium tires took center stage. Pirelli’s motorsport director has revealed fascinating details about how this rare achievement was possible, challenging traditional tire strategies used in Formula 1.
Russell’s Historic Achievement and Strategy
George Russell made headlines by claiming his first pole position of the season, setting a stunning lap on medium tires. This was not just an ordinary qualifying result but a historic one, as it marked the first time in five years a driver secured pole using a compound other than the softest rubber. Russell’s mastery over every corner during his final lap showcased how optimal tire management combined with skillful driving can beat even the fastest cars on softer compounds.
The Mercedes driver’s approach was bold. While many competitors relied heavily on soft tires, Russell chose to push with medium tires, which generally provide less grip but more durability. His ability to extract maximum performance from this harder compound highlighted the importance of understanding tire behavior and choosing the right strategy for the track conditions.
Unraveling the Tire Choices of the Weekend
Throughout practice and qualifying, teams experimented with various tire compounds. Interestingly, many drivers like Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris opted to run on the slightly harder C5 tires for their best laps, instead of the usual softer tires. This choice was driven by the desire to manage tire wear better and maintain consistent pace in the challenging Montreal circuit, known for its high-speed corners and tough kerbs.
Pirelli’s Mario Isola explained that the performance gap between the softest C6 and the C5 is small—around a tenth to a tenth and a half of a second—yet the C6 requires more precise operating conditions. Many drivers preferred the reliability of the C5, especially on a circuit demanding high confidence in tire grip. This approach led to some surprising results, with several drivers setting their best times on the medium tires in Q3, making the qualifying session exceptionally exciting and unpredictable.
The expansion of Pirelli’s tire range in 2025 has also contributed to more varied strategies. With higher temperatures forecasted for Montreal, the two-stop strategy—using medium and hard tires—appears to be the most plausible plan for race winners. The softer C6 might provide an advantage at the start for drivers with multiple new sets of hard tires, especially if an early Safety Car intervenes.
Although a one-stop race remains theoretically possible, it is less likely to be effective due to tire degradation and overtaking challenges. Teams are likely to favor a two-stop plan to maximize performance, balancing tire durability with speed, and capitalizing on Montreal’s unique track layout.
This weekend’s qualifying and tire strategies demonstrate once again how vital tire management is in modern Formula 1. Russell’s historic pole showcases the importance of bold choices and understanding tire behavior. As the race unfolds, these insights suggest that strategic tire use could be decisive in determining the winner in Montreal’s demanding conditions.
