Max Verstappen takes 'pole' in Imola and pays tribute to Ayrton Senna
Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) today achieved the 39th 'pole position' of his career, which served as a tribute to Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, who died on the Imola circuit 30 years ago, and maintained his full this season.
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Verstappen spent 1.14,746 minutes on his best lap on the track that hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, leaving the Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in second place, 0.74 seconds behind, followed by the British Lando Norris (McLaren), 0.091 seconds behind the author of the 'pole'.
"It's something very special. 30 years ago, Ayrton Senna passed away here [on May 1, 1994]. This 'pole' is a great tribute to him", stressed the three-time world champion, after winning the seventh 'pole' in seven races.
Max Verstappen was surprised to have been the fastest, especially because he asked for "some changes to the car before qualifying", after a third free practice session dominated by the two McLarens.
The British team has been Red Bull's main adversary, as the best Ferrari was that of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, in fourth position, 0.224 seconds behind, with the Spaniard Carlos Sainz in fifth, but almost half a second behind (finished 0.487).
The surprise was the elimination of the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) in Q2, finishing in 11th position, in one of the most difficult sessions of the year for the reigning champion team.
Qualifying was marked by a track exit by the Aston Martin of the Spaniard Fernando Alonso right in Q1, which was damaged. The repair operation should force the Asturian to start from the pit lane.
Alonso had already suffered a skid in the morning, which gave the team's mechanics a lot of work to leave the single-seater in condition to compete in qualifying.
But a mistake by the Spaniard in the Tamborello 'chicane' caused damage to the flat bottom of his car.
The Emilia Romagna GP is the seventh race of the season, and a year ago it had to be canceled due to the floods that affected that area of Italy.
Max Verstappen arrives in the lead, with 136 points, 33 more than Sergio Pérez, second.
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