Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Verstappen relief after "hectic" Imola pole

Ewan Gale Friday 22 April 2022 19:20

Max Verstappen described Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying as "hectic" after denying F1 championship rival Charles Leclerc pole position on Ferrari's home turf.

The reigning world champion ducked between five red-flag interruptions to clinch top spot on the grid for Saturday's 100km sprint, an upset given the Scuderia's pace leading up to Q3.

Whilst three of the five stoppages were caused by off-track excursions for Carlos Sainz, Kevin Magnussen and Lando Norris, countless other drivers ran across the gravel and grass lining the punishing Imola layout.

The session was further complicated by changeable conditions, with the track initially drying before the rain returned to complicate matters after Sainz's crash in Q2.

Assessing his session, Verstappen said: "It was tricky out there - dry then the rain.

"It was very slippery to also get the tyre temps to work. It was hectic, a long qualifying.

"In the end, happy to be here. It is an amazing track and it also really punishes you if you make a mistake, you can go in the wall. That is what we like to make it really hard and difficult.

"But really pleased with pole position."

On his weekend prospects, Verstappen added: "We know tomorrow and Sunday will be a bit different in terms of weather conditions but at least it is a good start to the weekend."

Latest News

Latest F1 News

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri butt heads in awkward post-race mishap

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Lewis Hamilton gets major Roscoe boost for British Grand Prix

Yesterday 22:27

Latest F1 News

Cadillac bombshell drops as Red Bull F1 star linked with shock move

Yesterday 21:42

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

Yesterday 21:19

Latest F1 News

Mercedes F1 to run ORANGE livery at British Grand Prix this weekend

Yesterday 20:57

Latest F1 News

F1 legend claims first podium at the age of 94

Yesterday 20:12

More news

FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict at Austrian Grand Prix

29 june

300.000+ views

FIA announce Charles Leclerc disqualification verdict ahead of Canadian Grand Prix

12 june

200.000+ views

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

Yesterday 21:19

200.000+ views

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix

14 june

150.000+ views

FIA announce harsh McLaren penalty verdict after Oscar Piastri incident at Canadian GP

14 june

150.000+ views

Mercedes F1 star hit by FIA deleted lap ruling after Canadian Grand Prix

16 june

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Verstappen relief after "hectic" Imola pole

Verstappen relief after "hectic" Imola pole