Qualifying report: third row for Ferrari SF-24 cars in Imola | 2024 F1 Emilia Romagna GP. Results and report from qualifying for 2024 F1 Emilia Romagna GP.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recovered from poor practice sessions to secure pole position at Imola, breaking the hearts of Ferrari fans. The Dutchman faced a tough challenge from four rivals in the final session, ultimately beating Oscar Piastri’s McLaren by less than a tenth of a second.

Lando Norris secured the third spot, positioning himself well to challenge Verstappen during the race. McLaren showed impressive long-run pace in practice, according to Toto Wolff, giving Norris hope for a competitive race pace against Red Bull. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz qualified fourth and fifth, despite strong home support. George Russell took sixth place, two spots ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was outperformed by Yuki Tsunoda, a standout throughout the session.

Fernando Alonso was the notable Q1 casualty. After a major repair job following a crash in practice, he went off track on his first flying lap and only managed the last grid slot on his second attempt. He was joined at the back by Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu, Logan Sargeant, and Valtteri Bottas. Sargeant’s lap time deletion moved Alonso up to 19th.

Alex Albon, who signed a new contract with Williams this week, couldn’t celebrate with a Q3 appearance, finishing 14th in Q2, ahead of only Pierre Gasly. Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon were also eliminated in Q2.

The final Q2 spot was contested by Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez, with Ricciardo prevailing, making it two Red Bulls in the top 10. Yuki Tsunoda had a strong performance in Q2, but ultimately finished seventh, with Ricciardo ninth and Nico Hulkenberg in 10th.

Both McLaren and Scuderia Ferrari were strong contenders for pole, but Verstappen proved too quick. His best Q3 lap edged out the McLarens, while the Ferrari SF-24 cars were slightly off the pace. Charles Leclerc, a favorite for pole throughout the weekend, settled for fourth, just ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz. Both may gain a position if Oscar Piastri receives a penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen in Q1.

Here’s how the drivers will line up for Sunday’s race at the Imola circuit:

Max Verstappen – RED BULL
Oscar Piastri – MCLAREN*
Lando Norris – MCLAREN
Charles Leclerc – FERRARI
Carlos Sainz – FERRARI
George Russell – MERCEDES
Yuki Tsunoda – VISA CASH
Lewis Hamilton – MERCEDES
Daniel Ricciardo – VISA CASH
Nico Hulkenberg – HAAS
Sergio Pérez – RED BULL
Esteban Ocon – ALPINE
Lance Stroll – ASTON MARTIN
Alexander Albon – WILLIAMS
Pierre Gasly – ALPINE
Valtteri Bottas – KICK SAUBER
Zhou Guanyu – KICK SAUBER
Kevin Magnussen – HAAS
Fernando Alonso – ASTON MARTIN
Logan Sargeant – WILLIAMS

*Piastri should receive a penalty for impeding and drop three positions.