Verstappen ends pole wait at wet and chaotic Imola

IMOLA, Italy: Formula One world champion Max Verstappen took his first pole position of the season on Friday in a wet and crash-interrupted Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race at Imola. Ferrari’s championship leader Charles Leclerc, thwarted by a late stoppage, will line up alongside the Red Bull driver on the front row for a 100km race that decides who starts first in Sunday’s main event. Verstappen goes into the Formula One record books as the pole setter for the weekend, regardless of where he starts on Sunday.

Last year the winner of the sprint was awarded pole instead. “It was hectic but I am very happy to be here, it is an amazing track and it also really punishes you if you make a mistake, you can go into the wall,” said Verstappen, who has suffered two retirements in three races. “I am really pleased with pole position but I know tomorrow and Sunday will be a bit different in terms of weather conditions.” The winner of the sprint will take eight points instead of the three previously available.

Leclerc has a 34-point lead over Mercedes’ George Russell after winning twice, finishing second in the other and taking all three bonus points available for fastest laps. “There’s everything to play for tomorrow and after tomorrow and we’ll give everything,” he said. Each of Friday’s three qualifying phases had to be halted after incidents, with the red flags brought out five times in total and the entire session ending 40 minutes later than scheduled.