Max Verstappen equals Ayrton Senna's record eight poles in a row

Max Verstappen achieved a remarkable feat by matching Ayrton Senna's record of eight successive pole positions in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Verstappen's achievement, driving for Red Bull, comes as Formula One commemorates 30 years since Senna's passing, who set his record in 1988-89 with McLaren. Verstappen's pole position, his 39th career pole, was hard-fought after struggling through practice sessions. McLaren's Oscar Piastri initially secured second place but received a grid penalty, elevating Lando Norris to the front row. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz also advanced, setting up an exciting race.