Verstappen matches Senna’s record of 8 straight pole positions at track where F1 great died
IMOLA, Italy (AP) — On a weekend commemorating Ayrton Senna, Max Verstappen matched the late Brazilian’s record for consecutive pole positions in Formula 1 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Verstappen made it eight in a row — seven this year — when his Red Bull topped qualifying on Saturday, just ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Miami GP winner Lando Norris.
Verstappen’s streak dates to the last race of last season, drawing the three-time defending champion level with Senna on eight consecutive pole positions.
“It’s 30 years since he passed away, so it is very special, and I am very pleased to get pole, and in a way it’s a nice memory to him,” Verstappen said.
“He was an incredible F1 driver, especially in qualifying. A great day for me, a great day for the team. I’m very, very happy.”
Senna’s record has stood for 35 years. His streak ran from the final three races of the 1988 season through the first five of the following year.
Senna died in a crash at Imola during the 1994 race and there was a memorial on Thursday, while there have also been other events at the track to mark the 30-year anniversary of the death of the three-time world champion.
Verstappen looked unlikely to match his record when he struggled during all three practices — with his best position fifth in the second session.
However, no one could match his blistering pace in qualifying — although it was closer than it has been recently. Piastri was just 0.074 seconds behind, with Norris only 0.091 adrift.
Piastri could face a grid penalty for blocking Haas’ Kevin Magnussen in Q1.
It had been a good weekend for Ferrari as it appeared to have raised its game in front of its home crowd but Charles Leclerc could qualify only fourth, just ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr.
There was disappointment for Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, however, as he surprisingly didn’t make it out of Q2.
“What a mess,” Perez said, after finishing 11th.
Qualifying was run under dry conditions with similar weather expected on Sunday.
Verstappen leads the F1 standings with 136 points, 33 clear of Perez and 38 clear of Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
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