Max Verstappen on Pole at Imola, Leclerc and Perez in top 3

Max Verstappen won the sprint race at Imola, Italy today, as he will start on pole in the main race tomorrow. Leclerc, Perez and Sainz line up behind him.

F1 changed the format last year, adding a sprint race in the mix last year.

A sprint race is like a mini race, where the drivers will contest for places. This is in contrast to qualifying, where the positions are decided.

Generally qualifying happens on Saturday and the main race on Sunday. But, in sprint race, qualifying happens on Friday, for the sprint race.

Last year, only top 3 drivers were awarded points, starting from 3 for the first place.

This year, top 8 drivers get a point, driver finishing 1st getting 8 points.

Sprint Race Summary

After coming in 1st in qualifying yesterday, Max Verstappen lost out to Charles Leclerc in the first lap itself. A brilliant start for Leclerc and Ferrari.

Leclerc was pulling out in front, but not for long as F1 debutant this year Zhou Guanyu crashed into the barriers in the very 1st lap. As a result, a safety car was deployed.

Pierre Gasly, had to get his front wing changed, after touching Zhou Guanyu’s car. The French dropped 2 places as a result of the crash.

From the restart, Leclerc started to pull out in front again, leading for the majority of the race. But, he was overtaken by Max Verstappen, with 2 laps to go. As a result, he will start from P2.

Most of the action came from Leclerc’s team mate Carlos Sainz, who started 10th on the grid, after crashing in Q3. He made his way through the pack, to finish 4th in the sprint race. Valuable points for him as well as Ferrari.

Sainz will now contest with the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez for a podium finish. Whereas, their teammates will be in front, fighting out for the win.

The McLaren of Lando Norris slipped down to 5th place, just above his teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo is set to start in 7th.

Kevin Magnussen and Haas, finished 4th in qualifying yesterday, but will start the race in 8th position.

Fernando Alonso(Alpine) splits the 2 Haas cars, as Mick Schumacher finished 10th.

Mercedes’s struggles continue as George Russel could only manage 11th position in the sprint race. The current constructor’s champions are having a torrid time this season.

Yuki Tsunoda(Alpha Tauri) lines up 11th in front of 2 former World champions in Sebastian Vettel(Aston Martin) and Lewis Hamilton(Mercedes).

Lance Stroll(Aston Martin) will begin the race from 15th position. He will be hoping to get into the top 10, tomorrow.

Estaban Ocon(Alpine), Pierre Gasly(Alpha Tauri), Alex Albon(Williams Racing), Nicholas Latifi(Williams Racing) and Zhou Guanyu(Alfa Romeo) make up the bottom 5 for tomorrow’s race start.

Race start time

Tomorrow’s main race will begin at 6:25 pm IST.

It can be viewed on Star Sports Select 2(both normal and HD) and on Hostar.