Red Bull driver Max Verstappen earns pole position for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix after a wet qualifying session in Montreal.

Already in the knowledge that one Championship rival Charles Leclerc would be starting at the back of the grid, Verstappen had a certain level of freedom to put himself in the best place possible to extend his lead in the standings.

Teammate Sergio Perez is currently his nearest challenger but the Mexican failed to make it out of Q2 after crashing his Red Bull, causing a brief halt to the session.

Verstappen largely had it his own way in Q3, the track drying out to such an extent that the Dutchman finished quickest by two thirds of a second.

However, the defending world champion would not have expected to be joined on the front row of the grid by Fernando Alonso, who has not finished above seventh position all season.

The legendary Spaniard put his Alpine ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jnr, while Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton put a strong effort together to qualify in fourth.

There was also a surprise on the third row of the grid as Haas duo Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher claimed fifth and sixth spot respectively.

George Russell had to make do with eighth position after spinning his Mercedes on the second corner during Q3, his team having taken a risk with his tyres in the drying conditions.

Perez will start in 13th place on the grid, with Leclerc facing the challenge of starting at the back courtesy of an engine change.