Verstappen Matches Senna Pole Record At Imola

Max Verstappen secured his eighth consecutive pole position in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Saturday to equal the record of Ayrton Senna. The Red Bull three-time world champion's dominance in qualifying drew him level with Senna's run of eight poles, poignantly three decades after the late great Brazilian's tragic death at the Italian circuit in 1994. "It's a great start to the year but also very special 30 years since he passed away at this track," said Verstappen.

"Of course, very pleased to get pole here and in a way it's a nice memory to him (Senna), he was an incredible Formula 1 driver especially in qualifying laps as well, so a great day for me and a great day for the team, I'm very very happy."

Oscar Piastri's McLaren was to have started alongside the unstoppable Dutchman on Sunday after posting the second fastest time 0.074 seconds behind in a tight qualifying session.

However, the Australian was docked three grid places for impeding the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.

That promoted McLaren teammate Lando Norris, winner last time out in Miami, to the front row.

The two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will set off from the second row with Piastri now alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the third row.

Yuki Tsunoda's RB, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Daniel Ricciardo (RB), and Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) rounded out the top 10.

The glaring absentee from the first five rows was the Red Bull of Sergio Perez, who went out in the second qualifying session, the Mexican muttering "what a mess" on the team radio.

- 'Tiny margins' -

Piastri had initially been thrilled to get so close to taking pole.

"My lap was a bit scruff in the final corner, but it is so difficult to do a perfect lap at