Max Verstappen’s Imola GP Pole Snubbed by F1 Rivals: “It Seemed That They Had Waited for Verstappen to Finish His Lap”

The qualifying for the Imola sprint race was a red flag mess, but Red Bull driver Max Verstappen qualified pole amidst this situation. However, the Ferrari test driver showcased dissatisfaction with the authorities’ actions in Imola on Friday qualifying.

The Ferrari duo was shining during the Friday qualifying for the Imola sprint. But it came to an end, with Carlos Sainz crashing to the wall. Soon after Sainz’s crash, there was again another red flag because of Lando Norris.

However, Marc Gene didn’t like how the governing body handled the qualifying after Norris beached in the gravel. The Ferrari test driver believes they waited to call out the red flag until Max Verstappen finished his laps, which harmed Leclerc’s run, which could have given the Monegasque pole.

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Gene said, “We are not entirely in agreement with how they brought out the red flag. In the previous race, Carlos was taken out just after the accident in Melbourne and yesterday it seemed that they had waited for Verstappen to finish his lap.”

First Pole of the season for Max Verstappen

The reigning world champion had a rough start this season. He has had two retirements in the three races that we have had so far. Moreover, the qualifying sessions haven’t also been in favor of Verstappen either. The Dutchman didn’t taste a pole finish in the first three races, while his teammate Sergio Perez even took pole in Jeddah.

However, the ‘pole-less’ days end for the Red Bull driver with him qualifying P1 for the Imola sprint race. Now, the challenge for Max Verstappen is to convert this pole into race win. Because so far Max has only been on a podium once. The two retirements cost heavy for the 24-year-old, who is currently ranking P6 on the driver standing. Max is 46 points behind the 2022 World Championship leader Charles Leclerc.

The Dutchman is having trouble with the 2022 challenger because of the reliability issues. Although, the Milton Keynes base is working on the issues.

Furthermore, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has recently revealed that the Austrian F1 team made the car following the new regulations. And the new car isn’t suiting Max’s aggressive style. Meanwhile, teammate Checo is seen outperforming Verstappen with the same car.

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Max Verstappen looked to gain his winning form back in Imola. Let’s see if the Dutchman can convert his pole to victory in the Imola sprint.