In a scathing qualification confrontation at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri de McLaren Delivered a sensational discomfort and stealing the pole pole of Red Bull Max Verstappen for a razor of 0.034 seconds. The session was a roller coaster of emotions, accidents and surprise performances, with the calm of Piastri under pressure marking an important professional milestone.
Despite meeting heavy traffic in the two final corners and not improving his time in the last sector, Piastri’s scorching rhythm in the first two sectors proved to be decisive. Verstappen, who had established the first reference point, could not respond with sufficient force in his last round, a surprising deficit that gave McLaren his first pole in Icola in years.
Pole pulse driven by Piastri’s precision
The classification session was not the lack of drama, starting with a horrible accident for Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver lost control in the Chicana Villeneuve, sending his car in the air after hitting the barriers of the tires. The machine landed backwards before turning again, miraculously, Tsunoda emerged without brushing.
Another red flag was taken by Alpine debutant Franco ColapintWhose turn in the barriers in Tamburello was less spectacular but still harmful. Both drivers moved away safely, thought that the debut of the first quarter of collapint ended up disappointing.
While McLaren’s duo seemed to dominate, Lando Norris He could not capitalize on his early rhythm and was dotted with fourth George Russell’s Bold switch to medium tires. Mercedes’s strategy paid dividends, since Russell took full advantage of a more stable compound amid soft tires struggles that felt on the network.
Aston Martin He demonstrated one of the surprise packages of the day. Fernando Alonso He delivered the best classification result of the season of the season in fifth place, driven by a series of updates to the AMR24, including a floor cover and engine inspired by Newy. Lance Stroll supported him in eighth, reinforcing the rise of Aston Martin.
Ferrari Fleunders at home; Hamilton, Leclerc Miss Q3
Ferrari’s problems deepened his home circuit as both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton He could not reach Top 10, qualification 11 and 12 respectively. Neinder could unlock the potential of its tires in time for the second crucial qualification session.
Even more heartbreaking for the Typhosi It was the disappointing action of the teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli. The 18 -year -old Isola native described 13th in the other Mercedes, a respectable result, thought away from the fairy tale that many expected.
Pirelli’s commitment to bring the three softer compounds with the hope of shaking the strategy may not bear fruit, since the medium tires arose as the preferred option through the rating. Verstappen of Red Bull admitted that the soft compound deteriorated quickly, costing him time in the last round. “Sector one felt strong, but the tires faded too fast,” he said.
For now, all eyes are in Sunday’s confrontation, with Piaastri leading a grid full of unexpected wounded giants. Will the young McLaren star turn her post into glory? Or will Verstappen return the familiar form?
