Verstappen, poleman
The Red Bull rider will start this Saturday from the top spot in the first sprint race of the season. The Dutchman ended up winning thanks to having the best time at the moment when he waved the fifth – and last – red flag of the qualifying session. Behind him will be the leader of the world, Charles Leclerc. Fernando Alonso will be fifth.
Five red flags
The classification of the GP of Emilia-Romagna has been rugged. Among the three qualifying rounds, there were five red flags. The first three were caused by the collisions of Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen against the wall. Between so many stops during the sessions, the rain came just in time for Valterri Bottas’ Alfa Romeo to stop. Fourth flag and it seemed that with two minutes left there would be no time for a new scare. Norris, however, with just over half a minute to go before the end of the session, crashed into the wall and the ‘quali’ did not resume.
Saturday and Sunday, race
The Imola Grand Prix is the first of the season to have two races. The first, in the sprint this Saturday (4.30pm, DAZN). The formula that was implemented last season in the testing phase this year presents a new version. The race, at 21 laps (approximately 100 km), will have the starting grid set today in the classification. The drivers will not be forced to go through the pits and the first eight cars will add points for the World Cup. Sunday’s race will start with the final positions of Saturday’s sprint.
