George Russell feels "like my old self again" after qualifying in pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver edged former team-mate Lewis Hamilton to top spot by just 0.064 seconds on Saturday, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli starting in third after posting a lap time 0.319 seconds slower than Russell.

Russell recorded his 10th pole in Formula One, while it marked Mercedes' 150th such finish.

Ferrari looked ready to cause an upset and perhaps even lock out the front row in Spain, with Hamilton leading Q1 and Q2, while Charles Leclerc finished third and second in the respective sessions.

However, Leclerc sent his Ferrari into the wall in Q3, while reigning champion Lando Norris finished fourth fastest, one place ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Russell finished 12th in Monaco last weekend, which followed an engine failure in Canada, but he has now regained his confidence.

"It's been a great weekend so far," said Russell. "I feel like my old self again where every lap I'm doing the job, always fighting in those top positions.

"The last few races for numerous reasons haven't quite been on our side but I came in this weekend with a clean slate, felt good and it's great to be on pole.

"It's going to be an interesting race. Lewis did an amazing job to get up there. That was a real surprise.

"We thought the fight was with ourselves and McLaren but Lewis has been quick all this session. I'm sure there will be a fight on our hands, so the race won't be easy but I feel ready."

George’s 10th F1 pole and the 150th for the Team  pic.twitter.com/TonlKsqaGB

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 13, 2026

Mercedes have won each of the opening six Formula 1 races this season. Only once before has the team begun a campaign with victories in the opening seven rounds of the calendar: an eight-race streak in 2019.

Antonelli, who was unable to claim a fifth consecutive pole, is still within a chance of winning in Barcelona, but believes he must to adapt to the circuit.

"I haven't felt good in the car," the Italian told Sky Sports.

"I haven't been able to adapt the driving style to the conditions we have this weekend. Obviously, it's a track that doesn't forgive, especially because the tyres struggle to last over one lap.

"I think I've been over-driving a little bit. This is a weekend when you need to drive slow to go fast, and I haven't done that well."