MAX Verstappen stated it was “very particular” to equal Ayrton Senna’s all-time document of eight consecutive pole positions on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Pink Bull driver beat each McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, to take pole place, his seventh in seven races this season, by lower than 0.1 seconds.
Verstappen’s achievement comes 30 years after Senna’s loss of life on the identical Imola circuit, following a crash on the San Marino Grand Prix on 1 Might 1994.
“It has been 30 years since he died at this observe. So, after all, very comfortable to get pole right here,” stated Verstappen.
“And in a manner, it is a good reminiscence for him. He was an unbelievable Formulation 1 driver, particularly within the qualifying laps as nicely. So, yeah, an incredible day for me, an incredible day for the crew.”
Verstappen was simply 0.074 seconds faster than Piastri, who beat Norris by 0.017 seconds with the ultimate lap of the session.
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Piastri then obtained a three-place grid penalty for impeding Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, and the Australian will begin the race in fifth, behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen and Senna’s streak lasted two seasons – the Brazilian from late 1988 to early 1989; Verstappen’s streak began because the last race of final season in Abu Dhabi.
Nonetheless, regardless of the sturdy efficiency, Verstappen stated his pole was sudden as Pink Bull had issue getting their automotive to behave the way in which he needed within the three observe classes earlier than qualifying.
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“I actually went into qualifying and I believed: ‘Nicely, if we are able to get into the highest 5, I might be comfortable,’ as a result of this weekend was very tough,” stated Verstappen.
“In the previous few years, that is undoubtedly top-of-the-line (modifications in course), I might say. It has been a very long time since I felt like we had been that far.”
His difficulties earlier than qualifying make it tough to foretell efficiency in Sunday’s race, which begins at 14:00 BST. In Friday observe, Leclerc was the quickest driver within the race simulation, adopted by McLaren, with Verstappen nicely behind.
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“Yesterday was very dangerous within the lengthy and quick runs. Naturally, I believe with the steadiness I had in qualifying, it will likely be higher. However I do not know in opposition to McLaren. They seemed very sturdy yesterday of their lengthy runs. So hopefully, yeah, we are able to do one thing related,” stated Verstappen.
Norris and Piastri each warned in regards to the issue of overtaking at Imola, a reality made worse by governing physique the FIA’s choice to shorten the zone by which drivers can use DRS overtaking help by 100 meters this 12 months.
Norris – who gained the final race in Miami, the place he was quicker than Verstappen – stated: “To overhaul right here is nearly not possible. In order that’s our first job. However on the identical time, if we are able to put stress on them and make them alert all through the race and having a efficiency like in Miami, then I believe we might be optimistic, after all.
“However overtaking and technique could also be slightly tougher than in Miami.”
Leclerc stated he was dissatisfied with Ferrari’s efficiency after main enhancements to their automotive.
“I made probably the most of (all the things),” stated Leclerc, “however I am dissatisfied that we weren’t as quick as we hoped. Pink Bull and McLaren are nonetheless a bit forward, sadly.
“Within the race simulation we had been very quick, however the place on the observe is essential on a observe like this and with the 100 meter DRS deduction, which I do not perceive why we did, it can make our life slightly tougher tomorrow.” (BBC/Z-3)
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