Imola – The record of Ayrton Senna, the king of poles, lasted 35 years, having taken eight in a row between the 1988 Spanish GP and the 1989 US GP. Now the Brazilian champion, who passed away in Imola 30 years ago, is in good company: the masterpiece lap of Max Verstappen, good at exploiting a trail and capable of turning around a weekend that started on an uphill climb, will allow the Dutchman to start in first position for the 8th consecutive time, which is the 7th in as many races in 2024 (and 39th of his career). It means having equaled another record, which this time had lasted for 31 years: only Alain Prost, in Williams in 1993, before Super Max had managed to start in front of everyone in the first 7 GPs of a World Championship.
Not bad, with a Red Bull in difficulty, undriveable yesterday (Super Max went off the track twice) and improved during the night also thanks to the work of Jake Dannis on the simulator at the Milton Keynes headquarters. “I’m very happy, I didn’t expect it”, commented the three-time world champion.
“Having equaled Senna is incredible, it’s a great way to remember him.” The gap left to teammate Sergio Perez was sensational, as he was involved in an accident at the Gresini chicane in the third free practice session and was eliminated in Q2, 11th behind the second Racing Bulls, that of Daniel Riccardo. The first gave wings to a great Yuki Tsunoda, who had finished third in Q2: he will start from the fourth row.
McLaren in great form
And so the cry of the Ferrari fans, who painted Imola red, remained in my throat. With the evolved SF-24, pole seemed within reach: new sides, revised bodywork at the rear, evolved bottom, retouched wings. In qualifying it wasn’t enough, even if first place was “the objective”, in the words of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque, who dominated both free practice sessions yesterday, asked for a small set up change in Q2 but it wasn’t enough to win the first pole of the season.
He will start on the second row, with the 4th time behind the two McLarens, in great shape like in Miami, where two weeks ago Lando Norris won the first GP of his career. The Englishman finished third, preceded by Oscar Piastri who, however, is under investigation for “impeding” Kevin Magnussen and risks a three-place grid penalty. In this case, he would finish behind Carlos Sainz, author of the fifth fastest time.
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