Max Verstappen enjoys ‘special’ day as he matches Ayrton Senna pole record

Max Verstappen said it was “special” to match Ayrton Senna’s record of eight consecutive pole positions for Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

At the Imola venue which claimed Senna’s life 30 years ago, Verstappen fended off McLaren’s challenge to draw level with the great Brazilian.

Oscar Piastri took second – just 0.074 seconds behind Verstappen – with Lando Norris, who broke his race victory duck in Miami a fortnight ago, only 0.091 sec adrift.