The unknown F1 rule that means Max Verstappen misses out on pole position despite setting the fastest qualifying time

Max Verstappen missed out on pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix despite setting the fastest time.

On Saturday, all eyes were on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as Formula 1 returned after a short break.

In recent Grands Prix, Verstappen has been facing tougher races than usual, with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren finding the pace to challenge the Red Bulls.

During qualifying, Verstappen was left furious as he felt Mercedes star George Russell got in his way on purpose during a flying lap.

The Dutchman eventually went on to set a time of 1:12.000 in Q3, which was the fastest time of the session.

However, Verstappen was denied pole after Russell set the exact same time earlier in the session.

F1 regulations state that if the pole position is tied, the driver who set the time first will start at the front of the grid.

This was only the second time that the pole position time has been tied since F1 timing went to three decimal places.

Speaking after the session, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko hinted at where Verstappen lost time during his last lap.

The Austrian said: “I think we can be satisfied with this result, especially after the events in the second free practice.

“It was about how you warm up your tyres and I think the warm-up lap in Q3 was just too fast.”

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Marko continued: “Max lost pole position in the third sector against Russell. But we showed that we improved gradually, unlike Monaco. We got rid of weaknesses and I also think we have a good set-up for the race, even if it rains.

“The Mercedes is two to three kilometres per hour faster on the straights. That means overtaking is possible, but also that it won't be easy. I hope our tyre wear in the race might be a little less and Max, meanwhile, can read a race very well. He knows when to attack and how fast he can go without overloading the tyres. I hope we are competing at the front.”

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