Max Verstappen takes eighth pole in a row: ‘Very particular’
Revealed on Might 18, 2024 by Julien Lemmen
Max Verstappen has taken pole place for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. In an thrilling qualifying session in Imola, Verstappen completed quickest in each qualifying section and with a time of 1:14.746, the three-time world champion took his eighth pole place in a row, equaling Ayrton Senna’s document. The McLaren’s of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had been scorching on the heels of the Oracle Pink Bull Racing driver and completed an in depth second and third, though Piastri was given a three-place grid penalty after qualifying for obstruction, permitting Norris to begin the race from P2 and Charles Leclerc from P3.
After qualifying, Verstappen mentioned: “It has been a really tough weekend up to now, even this morning within the third free apply. I am very blissful to be on pole right here, I actually did not count on that. We made some last adjustments earlier than qualifying and that made it really feel a bit higher and allowed me to push tougher. You then nonetheless should battle for it as a result of it’s all shut collectively. I hit the gravel within the final nook as a result of I needed to throw the automotive right into a drift in any other case my tire would go outdoors the white line. I needed to appropriate for just a little second after which a tire hit the gravel. To drive on the restrict on this monitor is unimaginable, I am nonetheless filled with adrenaline.”
About the truth that he has equaled Senna’s document along with his eighth pole in a row, the Dutchman says the next: “It’s a nice begin to the 12 months, but additionally very particular. It has been thirty years since he died on this circuit. I am very blissful to get pole right here. It’s a good reminiscence of Ayrton, he was a incredible Components 1 driver, particularly throughout qualifying rounds. It is an awesome day for me and for the group, so I am very blissful.”
It’s dry and sunny initially of qualifying on the 4,909 meter lengthy Imola circuit. Max units a 1:16.013 on the comfortable tires in his first flying lap, which is nice for first place at that second. A little bit later, the McLaren’s of Norris and Piastri go beneath the Dutchman’s time. The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz begin the session on the medium compound tires and are solely barely slower than Verstappen. Because of the exhausting work of Aston Martin’s mechanics, Fernando Alonso is ready to take part in qualifying after his crash within the third free apply. In his quick lap, Alonso goes by means of the gravel at Tamburello and after this the Spaniard appears to lose his pace, who finally solely finishes nineteenth. Verstappen additional improved his time on the flag to a 1:15.762, ending Q1 quickest, adopted by Leclerc who set his time on the medium compound tyres. Dropouts after the primary qualifying half are: Valtteri Bottas (P16), Zhou Guanyu (P17), Kevin Magnussen (P18), Fernando Alonso (P19) and Logan Sargeant (P20)
Max units a time of 1:15.386 on his first lap of Q2, which places him in third place behind Leclerc and the sturdy performing Yuki Tsunoda. There can be a second run for all drivers. As soon as once more Max clocked the quickest lap time on the finish with a 1:15.176, adopted by Leclerc and Tsunoda. Nonetheless, Pink Bull Racing stablemate Sergio Perez fails to get into the highest ten and solely finishes eleventh. The opposite drivers eradicated after the second qualifying section are: Esteban Ocon (P12), Lance Stroll (P13), Alexander Albon (P14) and Pierre Gasly (P15).
In Q3 Max instantly took the bull by the horns by recording the quickest time at that second with a 1:14.869. Norris follows at 73 thousandths of a second, whereas Leclerc is third after the primary run. A last flying lap follows for all ten remaining drivers. Max improves his time to 1:14.746, claiming pole place. Along with his eighth pole in a row, that is additionally the seventh pole from the primary seven races for Verstappen, equaling Alain Prost’s document from 1993. Oscar Piastri comes second, simply 74 thousandths of a second behind Verstappen. McLaren teammate Norris finishes third, simply 91 thousandths behind Max. The Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz completed forward of the Tifosi in P4 and P5, with George Russell in P6. Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg full the highest ten.
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix begins on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Imola GP competitors: win a Verstappen.com Racing cap signed by Max Verstappen!
Emilia-Romagna qualifying outcomes:
poscoureurteamq1q2q31Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:15.7621:15.1761:14.7462Oscar PiastriPIAMcLaren Mercedes1:15.9401:15.4071:14.8203Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Mercedes1:15.9151:15.3711:14.8374Charles LeclercLECFerrari1:15.8231:15.3281:14.9705Carlos SainzSAIFerrari1:16.0151:15.5121:15.2336George RussellRUSMercedes1:16.1071:15.6711:15.2347Yuki TsunodaTSURB Honda RBPT1:15.8941:15.3581:15.4658Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:16.6041:15.6771:15.5049Daniel RicciardoRICRB Honda RBPT1:16.0601:15.6911:15.67410Nico HulkenbergHULHaas Ferrari1:15.8411:15.5691:15.98011Sergio PerezPERRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:16.4041:15.70612Esteban OconOCOAlpine Renault1:16.3611:15.90613Lance StrollSTRAston Martin Mercedes1:16.4581:15.99214Alexander AlbonALBWilliams Mercedes1:16.5241:16.20015Pierre GaslyGASAlpine Renault1:16.0151:16.38116Valtteri BottasBOTKick Sauber Ferrari1:16.62617Zhou GuanyuZHOKick Sauber Ferrari1:16.83418Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:16.85419Fernando AlonsoALOAston Martin Mercedes1:16.9170Logan SargeantSARWilliams MercedesDNF
