Max Verstappen made history at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by equaling Ayrton Senna’s record of eight successive pole positions in qualifying at Imola. The Red Bull driver’s impressive performance on Saturday put him on pole position, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri joining him on the front row.
Verstappen expressed his surprise at securing pole, stating, “Incredibly happy to be on pole here. I didn’t expect that.” The Dutch driver’s pole position streak began in Abu Dhabi last season and has continued into 2024, dominating qualifying sessions.
The achievement holds special significance as Formula One commemorates 30 years since Senna’s tragic passing at the Italian circuit in 1994. Verstappen’s pole position also matched Alain Prost’s record of seven successive poles at the start of a season.
Ferrari had shown strong pace on Friday, but it was McLaren’s Piastri who impressed with a front-row start alongside Verstappen. The Australian driver was pleased with his performance, despite narrowly missing out on pole.
As the championship leader, Verstappen’s closest rival Sergio Perez faced challenges after crashing in practice and qualifying in 11th place. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will start eighth for Mercedes.
The stage is set for an exciting race at Imola, with Verstappen aiming to convert his pole position into a victory. The competition is fierce, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all vying for podium positions. Fans can expect a thrilling battle on the iconic Italian circuit.