IMOLA, ITALY – MAY 18: Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate in the closed park area during qualifying for the Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 18, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Most people who experienced the Senna era would agree that Verstappen resembles the impact of the legendary Brazilian in Formula 1 in terms of race domination. And if there was anyone who could match Ayrton’s extraordinary record of eight consecutive pole positions in F1, the Dutch driver fits perfectly into that role.
And what better time to achieve this feat than on the 30th anniversary of the tragic weekend of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix? This achievement becomes even more remarkable considering Verstappen’s initial dissatisfaction with the car, until he delved deeper and once again delivered an exceptional performance.
Verstappen’s joy was evident over the radio, as he truly savored his 39th pole position and expressed his happiness during cool down: “Come on! This is definitely a fantastic position. It was a challenging start, but we managed to turn things around. Thank you to everyone. This is fantastic. I am very happy.”
Later, in the Parc Ferme, reflecting on his 39th start in P1, Verstappen, who had been complaining about the Red Bull RB20 in the days leading up to the race, seemed relieved and smiled as he said: “It’s been a tough weekend so far, even this morning. I am incredibly happy to be on pole position here. I didn’t expect it.”
“We made some final adjustments before qualifying, and they seemed to make the car better. I was able to push harder. This track is amazing. Being on the limit here during qualifying, close to the gravel, I even touched the gravel in the last corner. The adrenaline is extremely high.”
Verstappen’s achievement of eight consecutive F1 pole positions puts him on par with Senna, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the three-time F1 world champion: “It’s a fantastic start to the year and has a special meaning. It’s been 30 years since his death, so I’m very happy to secure pole position as a way to honor him. He was an incredible F1 driver, especially in qualifying. It’s a great day for the team. I’m extremely happy.”
Later in the Red Bull report, Verstappen further commented: “Today’s pole position was really rewarding, and everything came together during qualifying. This weekend was challenging, with our car lacking pace and balance. However, we kept working on it and seeking improvements.
“When we entered qualifying, the car’s balance was much better, resulting in a big turnaround. Honestly, this track is simply phenomenal, and I wish we had more circuits like this on the calendar. It was amazing to drive a qualifying lap here. There are some old tracks on the calendar that are really exciting. They are what initially captivated me when I started watching and racing in Formula 1.”
Regarding Sunday’s race, Verstappen expressed: “McLaren is looking formidable, but with the modifications we made to the car, it should perform better during the race. I feel a bit less prepared than I would like going into the race, and we expect it to be challenging. However, we will give our best.”
Receiving eight consecutive pole positions is a moment of pride for Verstappen, especially considering the difficulties we faced this weekend. It was a collective effort from the entire team, and we are extremely pleased!” Verstappen concluded. Now, his focus shifts to securing his 59th victory in the Grand Prix, aiming to achieve his second win in Imola.
The Red Bull RB20, designed by Newey, once again showed that the more a driver pushes the limits with his car, the more willing he is to take risks to gain speed. When it seems impossible to find more, Max challenges all expectations and manages to do just that.
In contrast, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, faced disappointment. The Mexican driver fell short by half a second compared to his teammate and did not advance beyond Q2. Perez, who qualified in P11, expressed his frustration, stating: “Overall, it was not a smooth weekend, and we made several adjustments to the car. Unfortunately, we were not able to maximize our performance during qualifying.”
Perez further explained: “In Q1, my lap was not at the same level, and we started Q2 with a used set of tires. On my final lap in Q2, I lacked rear grip at Turn 7 and ended up locking up, costing me two and a half tenths. That mistake could have easily taken me into Q3, so I believe we had the pace to secure a much higher position.”
“We made significant progress with the car, as demonstrated by Max. However, I didn’t have the opportunity to show this progress in Q3. Considering the challenging overtaking opportunities at Imola, we will have to strategically plan for the race. Our main goal will be to minimize the issues we faced today and aim for a strong and consistent performance on Sunday,” expressed Perez. His below-par performance is further magnified by being overshadowed by the two younger drivers in their VCARBs.
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance on Saturday at Imola. After facing difficulties the day before, the team worked tirelessly overnight, with Seb Buemi, Jake Dennis, and the entire Milton Keynes team dedicating extra hours in the simulator. This dedication resulted in continuous improvements to the car, as seen in the positive results during Q3.
Max Verstappen, in particular, delivered an exceptional performance, securing the pole position. His achievement was of great significance to him, evident in his immense joy. With this pole position, Verstappen now has eight consecutive poles, equaling the record of the legendary Ayrton Senna. The fact that he achieved this feat at Imola adds even more meaning to his accomplishment.
On the other hand, Sergio Perez, also known as Checo, faced some challenges during qualifying. He lost time in the first and second chicanes, adding pressure to the rest of his lap. Although he managed to regain some time, it wasn’t enough, and he narrowly missed out on Q3. However, there is still everything to play for as the team prepares for race day at Imola.
In conclusion, Christian Horner’s comments in the Red Bull classification report highlight the team’s hard work and improvements, as well as the contrasting fortunes of their drivers.
© 2024
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