Max Verstappen takes pole ahead of Charles Leclerc due to rain and five red flags as heavily-disrupted Imola Grand Prix qualifying sees Lewis Hamilton down in 13th

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Max Verstappen will start on pole for Saturday’s sprint race at the Imola Grand Prix as a heavily disrupted qualifying session condemned Lewis Hamilton to yet another early exit.

Verstappen eventually topped the time sheets from from title rival Charles Leclerc, as rain in northern Italy denied the pacy Ferrari a clear shot at first place.


Verstappen just nabbed the fastest time before two more red flags secured his spot

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Hamilton was again dumped out in Q2

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The championship rivals were followed by McLaren’s British star Lando Norris, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen in fourth.

Reigning constructors champions Mercedes were once again miles off of the pace with Hamilton only just squeaking into the second round of qualifying, where he was then knocked out.

“How far are we off man, this is crazy!” the seven-time champ said, before a crash from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz delayed the second session.

By the time cars were allowed back on track, rain had already restarted, leaving Hamilton in 13th, behind teammate George Russell in 11th.

The pattern was repeated in the third and final session, with reigning drivers’ champion Verstappen putting in a time of 1:27.999, seven tenths up on Leclerc.

Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas then provoked yet another stoppage as he pulled to the side of the track, with the grid unable to improve on their times as rainfall again increased, before a crash from Norris ended the session.


Two further red flags gave Verstappen his first pole position of the season

AFP

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Verstappen and Leclerc both labelled the session ‘very tricky,’ whilst Hamilton had some stronger words for his Mercedes team.

“It wasn’t a great session, naturally it’s disappointing,” he said.

“We came here with optimism and everyone’s working really hard at the factory and then things just don’t come together.


A number of red flags, including a fire in Alex Albon’s Williams, disrupted the session

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“I think we underperformed as a team today. There are things we should have done that we didn’t do.”

Hamilton was seen in a heated discussion with team boss Toto Wolff after jumping out of his car, but wouldn’t comment on the debate.

“It’s all internal stuff,” he said. “I don’t want to share that.”

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Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport