F1 News: Verstappen wins exciting pole for Emilia Romagna GP

Much to the despair of the Tifosi, Red Bull ace Max Verstappen has won the pole for the 2024 Emilia Romagna GP Formula 1 race around the tricky Imola circuit.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

It was Verstappen’s 8th straight pole in a row in a sensational effort after struggling so bad on Friday. It was Max’s 39th career F1 pole. He ties the late great Ayrton Senna with a record 8 straight pole positions.

How good is Verstappen?  His teammate, Sergio Perez in the identical Red Bull Honda, was eliminated in Q2, over 1/2 second slower than Verstappen.

“Really difficult weekend so far, even this morning. Really happy to be on pole, I didn’t expect that. We made some final changes just before qualifying and I could push a bit more. The adrenaline is very, very high.

“It’s a great start to the year, but it’s very special as it’s 30 years since [Senna died] very pleased to get pole here, it is very special.”

Oscar Piastri was 2nd for McLaren, 0.074s behind Verstappen, in the closest qualifying session of the year.

“A little bit of a scruffy last corner but around here it is so, so hard to do a perfect lap. So, so close to pole but so happy – it’s been a little while since I was last up here.

“I think yes [we can fight for the win]. You can never count out Max and Red Bull but confidence is high.”

Lando Norris was a close 3rd in the #4 McLaren just 0.091s behind. “P3 is not a bad job at all, within a tenth both of us of P1 so tiny, tiny margins. We’ve had a great day, a great weekend so far and Oscar has done a great job.

“We are getting closer, to be ahead of Ferrari is also a nice result for us. Going to be a tough race.”

The best Ferrari was Charles Leclerc in 4th, 0224s behind the Dutchman – not the result Ferrari was looking for in front of their Italian fans.

Carlos Sainz Jr. rounded out the top-5 in the #55 Ferrari, also not able to touch Verstappen.

Tomorrow’s 63 lap Grand Prix might have Verstappen on pole, but there are plenty of variables to consider.

If McLaren do start with two cars in the top three (Piastri may get a penalty for blocking another driver), they could try and to team together against Red Bull and throw alternate strategies at Verstappen. It should be a one-stop race such is the length of the pit lane here, but you never know.

McLaren’s race pace looked very strong yesterday, while Red Bull’s is a slight unknown such were their struggles yesterday.

2024 Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying Results