Chaos in qualifying: Verstappen takes pole

“It was hectic, it was long, but in the end I’m happy to be in first place,” said Verstappen. He grabbed pole for the first sprint race of the year ahead of favorite and championship leader Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. “Second place on the grid is not a disaster,” said the Monegasque, whose teammate Carlos Sainz had to retire early after hitting the barrier in tenth place. Third at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari was Lando Norris in the McLaren. Mercedes experienced a complete sporting disaster: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ensured the Silver Arrows' worst qualifying result in years with their early exit in 13th and eleventh place.

After the previous training, the only question that remained was how big the gap between the Ferrari duo and the pursuers would be. Mercedes in particular had once again had massive problems with the car bouncing during the hour-long practice session, and Russell's Silver Arrow was even damaged as a result. And in the knockout rounds, the two British drivers also struggled in the cars of the German works team. Numerous interruptions After continuous rain during the night and until the early afternoon, the asphalt initially dried out a bit at just twelve degrees. A ten-minute break after a tire burst and a fire on Alexander Albon's Williams also proved to be an advantage.

Charles Leclerc came in second. © APA/afp / GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE

The lap times continued to improve, but Hamilton more than narrowly escaped the disgrace of finishing 15th on the first lap. In 16th place, the record champion in the Silver Arrow was only four thousandths of a second ahead. The end in the second round was inevitable.

They then saw how the last laps also became a game of nerves. After Kevin Magnussen in the Haas, Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo caused the next interruption. There were still 2:58 minutes to go. Verstappen was in the lead and assured that he had taken his foot off the accelerator as required on his fastest lap, even under yellow flags. Norris ensures the premature end When the qualification was released again, it didn't take long until Norris caused a premature end with a slip and orange instead of red was initially the color of success before the sprint on Saturday. The winner of the 100-kilometer race is aiming for eight world championship points and the best starting position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday. Before the fourth Grand Prix, Leclerc has 71 points, Russell is second (37), Hamilton fifth (28) and Verstappen sixth (25).

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Chaos in qualifying: Verstappen takes pole

Max Verstappen thoroughly spoiled Ferrari's start to the Red Festival in the rain at Imola. The Dutch Formula 1 defending champion raced to first place on Friday evening in an eventful and interrupted chaos qualifying.

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