Updated
May 23, 2024, 07:54 PM
Published
May 23, 2024, 07:32 PM
MONTE CARLO – A week after winning by less than a second at Imola, Max Verstappen will be keener than ever to extend his record-equalling run of eight pole positions at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The three-time world champion and current series leader overcame two days of disappointing form in practice to snatch pole at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, equalling the record of Ayrton Senna in the process.
That feat gave him an advantage that he turned into victory for Red Bull by just seven-tenths of a second ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren, who followed up his maiden win in Miami with a convincing late attack in Italy.
Verstappen knows he is in a fight at every race now and that he will need to do it again on May 25 on the narrow and unforgiving barrier-lined streets of the Mediterranean principality, where qualifying has more influence than anywhere else on the Formula One calendar.
“It is so unique,” he said. “Completely different. It was incredibly close in Imola and at Monaco it is always very hectic. You need to really nail it in qualifying to get a lap together, to get the tyres to work and it is always very tricky.
“Monaco is so very special and a special challenge.”
Another pole would give Verstappen the outright record of nine consecutive poles, including one at Abu Dhabi in 2023, and eight at the start of a season.
Verstappen will be bidding to repeat his victory in 2023’s race on a track where Red Bull have won the last three contests, the Dutch...