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F1 qualifiers LIVE: Results and positions in the Imola rain net while Max Verstappen takes the field for a sprint race and Lewis Hamilton fights

Sainz Jr. handed over a new contract with Ferrari while Formula One headed for Imola

Max Verstappen will start Saturday’s sprint race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in pole position, after both Mercedes cars failed to reach Q3 for the first time in almost 10 years in Imola on Friday night.

After the crash of Carlos Sainz in Q2 caused a red flag, the rain began to pour and brought wet conditions for the rest of the session, leaving Lewis Hamilton and George Russell eliminated as they chose not to risk an extra lap in the rain.

It was the first time since the Japanese Grand Prix in 2012, when Mercedes failed to finish with a car in the top 10 of the qualifiers, as their struggles at the beginning of the season continued, as Toto Wolf said that his team’s problems with ” the “defeat” were the worst so far this year.

At the other end of the field, Verstappen will start in front of Charles Leclerc after he stays on the temporary pole in the rain-soaked and red-flag qualifying session. Verstappen scored faster than Leclerc just as Valteri Botas stepped off the track to trigger the fifth red flag of the session, while Lando Norris took a surprisingly third.

Follow the whole reaction from the qualifications of the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna below:

F1 Qualifier Updates

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The problem that led to Max Verstappen’s retirement in Australia has been fixed, Christian Horner insists

This was the second time Verstappen did not finish a race this season due to mistakes in his car. As a result, the defending champion is sixth in the drivers’ standings and the Red Bull star will have to restore his season from the race in Imola on Sunday.

“We are working with our HRC colleagues in Japan and they found the problem and solved it,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:30 p.m.

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Lewis Hamilton explains the heated qualifying discussion with Toto Wolfe

Lewis Hamilton was embroiled in a heated debate with Toto Wolfe after his poor performance in the qualifiers ensured that he would start Saturday’s sprint race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 13th place on the grid.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton came out of Q1 with just four thousandths of a second before Carlos Sainz crashed and then the rain came in Q2.

The new wet track meant that Hamilton could not improve on his only lap, leaving him a sad place for Saturday’s 21-lap run around Imola – whose final line determines the Grand Prix grid on Sunday.

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:22 PM

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George Russell broke part of the car’s interior during a training session in Imola due to severe “mixing”

Russell and his teammate Lewis Hamilton had trouble rebounding on their first appearance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Wolff said the problem was the worst he had ever seen and that the cars were not “steerable”.

“We made George jump so hard that he actually broke the floor support,” Wolff told Sky. “You can’t drive. [down the main straight] – you have to lift straight. “

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:12 PM

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Complete qualification results

Max Verstappen has sex with Louis Hamilton in 13th place for tomorrow’s sprint race. Here are the full results of today’s qualification of Emilia Romagna:

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:09 PM

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“Disappointed” Leclerc regrets wrong choice in Q3

Charles Leclerc, who finished second in qualifying: “It was very difficult, especially in pictures. There were a lot of wet spots and it was all about putting up the laps and waiting for the Q3 to pick it up.

“It’s frustrating because when you count in Q3, I made the wrong choice.”

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:05 p.m.

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Max Verstappen’s reaction

At the start of qualifying, it looked like Ferrari could potentially win one or two, but Max Verstappen held on and managed to get Charles Leclerc to the floor.

“It was difficult there because of the dry / rain. It was very slippery. It was a tense, long qualification, but of course I was happy to be here. It’s an amazing song and it really punishes you if you make a mistake. ” said Verstappen at the end of the third quarter

“I am really happy with the pylon. The weather will be different over the weekend, but a good start. Our first three races did not go according to plan, but we will try to have a good weekend here. “

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 6:00 p.m.

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“How far are we?” This is madness “: Lewis Hamilton reveals qualification of disappointment on the team’s radio

Lewis Hamilton’s fights in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix continued, as both Mercedes cars failed to qualify for the final qualifying session for the first time in almost 10 years in Imola.

Hamilton managed to qualify only until the second session of the qualifiers, finishing in 15th place with only 0.004 seconds and there his day ended. The seven-time world champion finished 13th and Mercedes’ problems became more complicated as George Russell finished 11th and also failed to make the top 10 on penalties.

After Carlos Sainz crashed into a wall to trigger a red flag, Hamilton and Russell decided not to return to the track in Q2 with wet tires. Hamilton had expressed his disappointment on team radio in Q1, saying, “How far are we, man? This is crazy.”

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 5:55 p.m.

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Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc in the pole for the Imola sprint race as both Mercedes cars failed to qualify for Q3

Max Verstappen will start Saturday’s sprint race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in pole position, after both Mercedes cars failed to reach Q3 for the first time in almost 10 years in Imola on Friday night.

After the crash of Carlos Sainz in Q2 caused a red flag, the rain began to pour and brought wet conditions for the rest of the session, leaving Lewis Hamilton and George Russell eliminated as they chose not to risk an extra lap in the rain.

It was the first time since the Japanese Grand Prix in 2012, when Mercedes failed to finish with a car in the top 10 of the qualifiers, as their struggles at the beginning of the season continued, as Toto Wolf said that his team’s problems with ” the “defeat” were the worst so far this year.

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 5:49 p.m.

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Verstappen occupies a field in Imola

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 5:46 p.m.

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Verstappen occupies a field in Imola

Two fast red flags at the end of Q3 did not see any changes in the standings. Here’s what the network for the Sprint race will look like tomorrow:

The six is ​​also added to Max Verstappen’s stats, although he will have to win the sprint to secure a place in Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Michael Jones April 22, 2022 5:43 PM