Verstappen will start the sprint qualifying race ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris – who was one of many drivers to go off – following the one-hour qualifying session, which was halted on multiple occasions.
The result of Saturday’s sprint race sets the grid for Sunday’s main event. The winner of the sprint will be awarded with the event’s pole position accolade.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying results: Verstappen on pole from Leclerc
What happened in Q1?
The session began on a slightly damp but quickly drying track. A red flag was required after 12 minutes for Alex Albon’s Williams when its right-rear brake overheated and caught fire, causing the tyre to explode as he toured back to the pits.
Times tumbled throughout the session, with Sainz taking P1 with seven minutes to go with a lap of 1m20.319s, 0.03s ahead of Verstappen. Leclerc took control with four minutes remaining with 1m19.545s, 0.015s faster than Sainz.
Sainz took P1 with 1m19.305s before Verstappen pipped him by 0.01s on 1m19.295s, then Leclerc grabbed top spot for good by half a second with 1m18.796s.
In the battle to make it through to Q2, Lewis Hamilton only made it through by just 0.004s. Falling at the first hurdle were the AlphaTauris of Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (who had a suspected gearbox problem) and the Williamses of Nicholas Latifi (who spun) and Albon.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Q1 results: Leclerc fastest from Verstappen
What happened in Q2?
More rain was threatening at the start of the session, sending the remaining cars out on track immediately.
Sainz set the initial pace at 1m18.990s but that was quickly beaten by Verstappen on 1m18.793s. A second red flag was soon required when Sainz put his Ferrari into the tyres at Rivazza. Lando Norris was third fastest for McLaren, ahead of Sergio Perez (Red Bull) and Leclerc.
Rain fell during the break, meaning there would be no further improvements. Knocked…
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