McLaren’s Oscar Piastri electrified the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix qualifying, snatching pole position with a scorching 1:14.670 lap in the final moments of a chaotic session on Saturday.

The Australian outpaced Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a mere 0.03 seconds, denying the reigning champion a continuation of his pole streak. Mercedes’ George Russell, daringly on medium tyres, clinched third, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso rounded out the top five.

The session was marred by crashes and upsets. Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon impressed with sixth and seventh, followed by Lance Stroll, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

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Ferrari’s home race hopes crumbled as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, plagued by brake issues, languished in 11th and 12th after failing to reach Q3. Kimi Antonelli trailed teammate Russell in 13th.

Red flags flew after Alpine’s Franco Colapinto crashed heavily in Q1, forcing overnight repairs, while Haas’ Esteban Ocon and rookie Ollie Bearman exited early. The session’s heart-stopping moment came when Yuki Tsunoda’s high-speed Q1 crash triggered a barrel roll, though the Red Bull driver emerged unharmed.

Social media buzzed with reactions, fans on X praising Piastri’s “ice-cold” lap while lamenting Ferrari’s “nightmare” at Imola. With Piastri leading Verstappen into Sunday’s race, the stage is set for a gripping showdown at the historic circuit.

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