Formula 1 | Verstappen beats McLaren F1 drivers to pole at Imola

Seventh round of the 2024 F1 season, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix has offered a reshuffling of the cards since the start of the weekend. Despite developments on the RB20, Red Bull and Max Verstappen do not appear to be the dominant force of the weekend.

Of course, you should never dismiss the Dutchman in the fight for pole position, but two other teams have dominated the three practice sessions since FP1. Charles Leclerc had a flawless performance on Friday, while Oscar Piastri set the best time in EL3.

Ferrari and McLaren seem to dominate, including in long stint simulations, but Verstappen seemed to find some color this Saturday morning. Therefore, if we include Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, it seems that five drivers could fight for pole position.

It’s difficult to know if Sergio Pérez will be able to get involved in this fight, he who had an accident during FP3, but who was close to Verstappen the rest of the weekend. Mercedes will surely have no say in the matter, even if Lewis Hamilton and George Russell tested positive on Friday evening.

Finally, Aston Martin F1 seems to be in decline, especially after Fernando Alonso’s accident this Saturday morning. Note that Yuki Tsunoda and his RB F1 VCARB 01 made a strong impression during the first sessions of the weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo has been under investigation since FP3 for impeding Kevin Magnussen and forcing him onto the grass to avoid him, and it appears his engineer is to blame for this situation. The team was therefore fined $5,000.

Q1 – 18 minutes

Russell came out on medium tires for his first fast lap, but ended his lap before crossing the line. With the tight gaps such as we have this season, it is utopian to imagine setting a correct time in mediums.

Esteban Ocon signed the best provisional time in 1’16″645, and he did better than Hamilton and Lance Stroll. Pierre Gasly placed six tenths behind his teammate, between the two Haas. Gasly had complained about this morning of not having priority on the track, which was given to him at the start of Q1.

Sainz finished with the fourth fastest time on medium tires, and Leclerc did better than Ocon in 1’16″463, also on medium tires. Alex Albon had signed the absolute best first sector but he went out in the last. Norris signed the best absolute second sector, and his 1’16″194 propelled him into the lead.

Verstappen did better than Norris in sector 1 but, unlike the rest of the weekend, he also did better in sector two. Alonso placed sixth after Aston Martin repaired his car. Verstappen did better than Norris in 1’16″013.

Pérez, whose car was also repaired, moved into third place. Piastri signed the absolute best first sector to take first position in 1’15″940, or 0″073 better than Verstappen. Stroll moved up to fifth, and Magnussen to ninth.

Tsunoda set the fifth fastest time, and Sainz took the third fastest time, still on mediums. Gasly moved up to fourth and Leclerc to fifth, still with the mediums. Hamilton did not do better than 12th.

Norris improved the best time to 1’15″915, 0″025 better than his teammate Piastri. Alonso missed his fast lap and went through the gravel for his second exit of the day. Amazing images in the Aston Martin clan.

Albon finally made his first timed lap of the session, and he placed 12th. Alonso attempted another fast lap but was unable to do better than Ricciardo, provisional 15th in the session. He aborted his attempt.

Guanyu Zhou did no better than 16th, and Sargeant took 14th place, beaten by Bottas immediately. Nico Hülkenberg set the best time in Q1 in 1’15″841! Alonso made no further attempts and is therefore last. Verstappen improved and took the best time again in 1’15″762.

Ricciardo placed seventh and Tsunoda improved to third! Leclerc did another lap on medium tires and was second fastest. Sargeant’s time was canceled and he will therefore be last at the start since he did not set any time.

Those eliminated were Bottas, Zhou, Magnussen, Alonso and Sargeant.

Q2 – 15 minutes

Piastri could be penalized at the end of qualifying because he seriously hampered Magnussen in Q1. The Mercedes drivers were the first to hit the track for this Q2. Russell set a time of 1’16″200, and Hamilton improved to 1’16″197.

Verstappen took the best time in 1’15″386, and Pérez took the second time by 4 tenths. Hülkenberg was inserted between the Red Bulls and the Mercedes, 7 tenths behind Verstappen, while the Ferraris and the McLarens were preparing for their quick turn.

Stroll took sixth time, beaten by Gasly, and Ocon placed himself just behind his teammate. Sainz finished his lap and moved into second, three tenths behind. Piastri finished his time with the second time 0″021 behind Verstappen. And Leclerc did better in 1’15″328, or 0″058 better than Verstappen.

Ricciardo set the sixth fastest time and Norris took fourth position. Tsunoda set the second time 0″030 behind Leclerc, and ahead of Verstappen. The Japanese has been in great form since the start of the weekend.

Albon shifted to set a time with the track clear in front of him. But the Thai did no better than 12th, three thousandths behind Hamilton, or with the same time as Russell. But the Mercedes drivers were on track to improve.

Tsunoda was the only one not to come out of the pits, with RB F1 aiming for a double lap on new soft tires in Q3. Russell moved up to sixth, and Hamilton moved up to seventh. Hülkenberg progressed to sixth position, and Stroll did not do better than 13th.

Ricciardo improved and set the ninth fastest time. Gasly had his time canceled for not respecting the track limits. Sainz did better and moved up to sixth place. Pérez was provisionally eliminated and was in a fast lap. Norris took the third time and Pérez did not do better than 11th! The two F1 RBs are in Q3.

Those eliminated were Pérez, Ocon, Stroll, Albon and Gasly.

Q3 – 12 minutes

Verstappen had the best first sector, but Norris did better in the second sector. The Red Bull driver finished with a 1’14″869, and Norris was second by less than a tenth. Hülkenberg took third, beaten by Tsunoda, who was half a second behind .

Piastri took provisional third place by almost 3 tenths, and Sainz did not do better than the McLaren F1 driver. Leclerc finished third, and Russell took sixth, just ahead of Tsunoda. Hamilton positioned himself just behind Tsunoda.

Hülkenberg set off first to attack the time, and Sainz did not do better than Verstappen in his first sector, just like Leclerc. Hülkenberg improved but remained ninth. Leclerc did the second best sector but he was still 0.197 behind Verstappen.

Sainz did not do better and remained 3 tenths behind, and Leclerc remained third at 0″101. Verstappen did better in the first sector, and Russell finished his time in sixth place. Verstappen did better in the second sector, and Norris did not do better.

Ricciardo took ninth place. Verstappen improved to 1’14″746, Norris progressed but remained second with the best third sector, and Piastri placed second 0″074 behind Verstappen! But it is the Dutchman who takes pole.

It is therefore a seventh consecutive pole position at the start of the season for Verstappen, who sees the McLarens getting closer. Piastri is second ahead of Norris, and the Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz, who will surely be disappointed. Russell follows ahead of Tsunoda, Hamilton, Ricciardo and Hülkenberg.