Piastri takes pole position ahead of Verstappen in Imola
Championship leader Oscar Piastri narrowly edged out reigning champion Max Verstappen to secure pole position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Piastri’s McLaren was 0.034 seconds faster than the Red Bull at the Imola circuit, exchanging the best sector times between both drivers along the three miles of the circuit.
It was a great session, but very tough with all the delays, red flags and tires. The tire has been very complicated today. I think after yesterday everyone thought the C6 wasn’t so bad and today it was a real mystery.
Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris, second in the championship and 16 points behind Piastri, had to settle for fourth place on the grid after George Russell of Mercedes overtook him in the final moments of the session.
Fernando Alonso secured a fifth place, the best of the season, in an Aston Martin with significant improvements. Carlos Sainz placed sixth for Williams, followed by his teammate Alex Albon in seventh place, while Lance Stroll, in the second Aston Martin, secured eighth place.
Isack Hadjar continued his impressive rookie season with ninth on the grid for Racing Bulls, ahead of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine in tenth.
Both Ferraris were eliminated in Q2, in a disappointing performance in front of the team’s home fans. Charles Leclerc will start in 11th place and Lewis Hamilton in 12th.
My God, my God, my God.
Charles Leclerc
There was more disappointment for the home fans, as the only Italian on the grid, Kimi Antonelli, qualified in 13th place for his first home race of his career. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto will start 14th on the grid.
Franco Colapinto’s first qualifying session as an Alpine driver ended in the walls after a big crash at the Tamburello chicane in Imola in Q1.
The Argentinian driver was called up before the weekend to replace Jack Doohan.
Colapinto was under investigation after being sent to the pit lane before an official restart time was given.
Yuki Tsunoda also suffered a big accident in Q1, which saw his Red Bull roll over after the impact with the barriers in the Villeneuve chicane.
Tsunoda was unable to set a time, so he will start last on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Liam Lawson will start 16th for Racing Bulls ahead of Nico Hülkenberg and the two Haas drivers, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
