2024 Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying: Max Equals Senna’s Record

Max Verstappen equaled Ayrton Senna's long-standing record of eight consecutive Formula 1 pole positions, outperforming McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in qualifying.

Ben

By Ben Bush
Updated on May 23, 2024

Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing Qualifying 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Max Verstappen equals Ayrton Senna's run of eight poles, set in 1989.

Max Verstappen extended his streak of pole positions by securing P1 on the grid for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with a commanding lap in Imola.

The Dutchman set a formidable benchmark during the initial runs of Q3 and improved further on his final effort, clocking a time of 1m 14.746s in his Red Bull. This put him 0.074s ahead of second-placed Oscar Piastri, who was later penalised three grid places for impeding Kevin Magnussen’s Haas in Q1, and McLaren teammate Lando Norris in third.

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Charles Leclerc led Ferrari in fourth place ahead of Carlos Sainz in fifth, with the Scuderia unable to match their earlier weekend pace. George Russell secured sixth for Mercedes, while Yuki Tsunoda impressed with seventh place in front of VCARB’s home crowd.

Lewis Hamilton took P8 in the Mercedes, Daniel Ricciardo in P9, and Nico Hulkenberg in P10, completing the top 10.

In a surprising Q2 moment, Sergio Perez failed to improve on his final lap, leaving the Red Bull driver in P11. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also missed out on advancing to the final qualifying segment.

Alex Albon led Williams by taking 14th place, with Pierre Gasly just behind in 15th for Alpine.

The Kick Sauber duo of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu exited Q1 in P16 and P17, respectively, ahead of Kevin Magnussen in P18. Piastri was investigated post-session for impeding Magnussen during his final flying lap, eventually receiving a three-place grid drop to start in P5, leaving his team-mate Lando Norris to inherit a front-row spot.

Fernando Alonso caused a shock by dropping out of qualifying in P19, while Logan Sargeant’s Williams will start P20 after his lap time, originally placing him in P17, was deleted for track limits.

Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying Results

2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Qualifying, 18 May 2024

PosNoDriverCarQ1Q2Q3Laps
11Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:15.7621:15.1761:14.74618
281Oscar Piastri1McLaren Mercedes1:15.9401:15.4071:14.82015
34Lando NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:15.9151:15.3711:14.83719
416Charles LeclercFerrari1:15.8231:15.3281:14.97021
555Carlos SainzFerrari1:16.0151:15.5121:15.23320
663George RussellMercedes1:16.1071:15.6711:15.23418
722Yuki TsunodaRB Honda RBPT1:15.8941:15.3581:15.46515
844Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:16.6041:15.6771:15.50420
93Daniel RicciardoRB Honda RBPT1:16.0601:15.6911:15.67415
1027Nico HulkenbergHaas Ferrari1:15.8411:15.5691:15.98021
1111Sergio PerezRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:16.4041:15.70610
1231Esteban OconAlpine Renault1:16.3611:15.90615
1318Lance StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:16.4581:15.99215
1423Alexander AlbonWilliams Mercedes1:16.5241:16.20012
1510Pierre GaslyAlpine Renault1:16.0151:16.38114
1677Valtteri BottasKick Sauber Ferrari1:16.6266
1724Zhou GuanyuKick Sauber Ferrari1:16.8349
1820Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari1:16.8548
1914Fernando AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:16.9177
NC2Logan SargeantWilliams MercedesDNF8
1Oscar Piastri received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen during Q1 of qualifying and would end up starting P5 on the grid.

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Ben Bush
Ben

Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.

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