Max Verstappen takes eight consecutive pole: 'Very special'

Published on 18 May 2024 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen took pole position for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. In an exciting qualifying in Imola Verstappen finished in every qualifying segment fastest, with a lap time of 1:14.746 the three-time world champion took his eighth consecutive pole, matching the record of Ayrton Senna. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were right behind the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver and finished second and third respectively.

After qualifying Verstappen says: “A really difficult weekend so far, even this morning in free practice three. I am incredibly happy to be on pole here, I did not expect that. We made some final changes before qualifying, they made if feel a bit better and I could push a bit harder. This track is unbelievable, to be on the limit here. I touched the gravel in the last corner, the adrenaline is very high.”

Taking an eight consecutive pole and matching the record of Senna, Max responds: “It is a great start to the year, but also very special. It is thirty years since he passed away at this track. I am very pleased to get pole here. It is a nice memory to him, he was an incredible Formula 1 driver, especially in qualifying laps. A great day for me, a great day for the team, I am very happy.”

It is dry and sunny at the start of qualifying on the 4,909-meter long Imola circuit. Max sets a 1:16.013 on soft tyres in his first flying lap, putting him in first position. Not much later both McLarens of Norris and Piastri go even faster than the Dutchman. The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz start the session on medium compound tyres and are only marginally slower than Verstappen. After a lot of hard work from the mechanics at Aston Martin, after Fernando Alonso’s crash in FP3, can he compete in qualifying. However, the Spaniard goes through the gravel in his flying lap at Tamburello, in the end he qualifies nineteenth. Verstappen improves his time to a 1:15.762, finishing Q1 as fastest. He is followed by Leclerc, who set his time on medium tyres. Dropping out after the first part of qualifying are: Valtteri Bottas (P16), Zhou Guanyu (P17), Kevin Magnussen (P18), Fernando Alonso (P19) and Logan Sargeant (P20).

Max sets a 1:15.386 in his first timed lap of Q2, putting him in third position after Leclerc and a very fast Yuki Tsunoda. A second run follows. Max sets again the fastest lap, a 1:15.176. He is followed by Leclerc and Tsunoda. Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez cannot set a time in the top ten and finishes eleventh. The other dropouts are Esteban Ocon (P12), Lance Stroll (P13), Alexander Albon (P14) and Pierre Gasly (P15).

Max immediately sets the fastest time in Q3, a 1:14.869. Norris follows only 73 thousandths of a second slower, with Leclerc in third position. One more flying lap follows. Max improves his time to a 1:14.746, putting him on pole position. Besides his eighth consecutive pole position, it is also his seventh pole of the first seven races this season, matching the record of Alain Prost from 1993. Oscar Piastri finishes second, only 74 thousandths of a second slower than Verstappen. McLaren teammate Norris finishes third. The Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz finish in front of the Tifosi in P4 and P5, with Russell in P6. Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, and Nico Hulkenberg complete the top ten.

Sunday at 15:00 the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will start.

Contest GP Imola: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results qualifying Emilia-romagna: