PIASTRI Oscar (aus), McLaren F1 Team MCL38, portrayed NORRIS Lando (gbr), McLaren F1 Team MCL38, portrayed VERSTAPPEN Max (ned), Red Bull Racing RB20, portrayed pole position in qualifying during the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Gran Premio del Made in Italy e Dell’Emilia-Romagne 2024, 7th round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship from May 17 to 19, 2024 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, in Imola, Italy – Photo Joao Filipe / DPPI
Featuring the top qualifier, Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing in first place, followed by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from McLaren in second and third place, respectively. Davide Valsecchi conducted the interviews in the Parc Ferme.
Q: Max, an incredible performance to secure pole position. Can you explain how you managed such a remarkable lap? The atmosphere was electrifying, but everyone was rooting for the Ferrari drivers. Despite a challenging Friday, you pulled off an amazing lap. Can you tell us about it?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yes, it’s been a really tough weekend so far, including this morning. So I’m incredibly happy to be on pole here. I didn’t expect it, but we made some final changes before qualifying that seemed to improve the car’s performance. I was able to push more, especially on this amazing track. Being on the edge during a qualifying lap, so close to the gravel… I even touched the gravel on the last corner. I’m still full of adrenaline.
Q: Are you aware that you are making history? With eight consecutive pole positions, you are now tied with the legendary Ayrton Senna. How do you feel about reaching this milestone in motorsport history?
MV: Yes, it’s a great start to the year and a very special achievement. It’s been 30 years since Senna’s death on this track, so it’s a beautiful tribute to him. He was an incredible Formula 1 driver, especially in qualifying. It’s a great day for me and the team. I am very happy.
P: Congratulations. MV: Thank you.
P: And in second place, Oscar Piastri, a great performance from you. Can you tell us about your qualifying session? It seemed like you were struggling initially, but then found your rhythm in the first attempt of Q3 and secured a place on the front row. Can you tell us about your lap?
Oscar PIASTRI: Yes, it was very good. I had a small mistake in the last corner, but it’s so difficult to make a perfect lap here. I am really happy with how things have turned out. I have been comfortable with the car since we started practicing yesterday. It’s been a while since I’ve been up here, so I am very pleased with how the weekend has been so far.
P: With McLaren’s recent improvements, do you think you have a chance to fight for more in tomorrow’s race?
OP: I believe so. In the past, maybe we would have said no, but with our recent performances, we have learned to say yes. We have been consistently fast throughout the weekend. Max and Red Bull are always strong, as we have seen. But I am confident in our abilities. Although overtaking is challenging on this track, I believe we can achieve something good.
P: Congratulations on your performance. OP: Thank you.
P: Lando Norris, congratulations on your qualifying session. As a recent winner in Formula 1, you had a great qualifying today. The crowd was cheering for you because of your impressive performances in the sport. Can you tell us about your lap and how your session went?
Lando NORRIS: Thank you. Yes, P3 is a good result, especially with less than a tenth separating the top three. It has been a very good day and weekend for us as a team. Oscar did a great job, as did Max. We are all very close and I am excited for tomorrow.
Q: Are you aiming for a podium finish, or do you have other goals in mind now that you are getting used to the sport?
LN: Yes, we are still getting used to it, but we are getting closer. Being ahead of Ferrari is a good result for us. Tomorrow’s race will be tight and challenging. It’s not the easiest track to overtake on, but we are confident and looking forward to it.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: Max, congratulations on your incredible turnaround after a tough opening day. Can you share how you managed to improve the car’s performance?
MV: It was a continuous effort. Even this morning, things were not looking good. We kept working to improve the balance of the car, which was changing a lot yesterday and this morning. Honestly, in qualifying, I was expecting a result in the top five, because this weekend has been really tough. But things started to come together in Q3, and I felt more comfortable. I could push harder and get the most out of the car.
Q: At what point did the car really come alive for you?
MV: It was a gradual process throughout Q1, Q2, and Q3. You try to find areas where you can gain some time, connect the corners better. And on the final lap, it’s all or nothing. You push to the limit, as you could see in the last corner where I had a little moment. It’s giving it your all and extracting everything from the car.
Q: You showed great pace in one lap, but how confident are you in the car’s performance over long races? Are you well prepared for the race?
MV: Nothing at all. Yesterday’s long runs were terrible, both in terms of short and long stretches. We planned to do a long stretch this morning, but we only managed three laps, and it wasn’t good. However, with the balance I had in qualifying, I hope it will be better in the race. But I have no idea how we will fare against McLaren. They looked strong in their long runs yesterday. I hope we can have a similar performance.
P: So, do you expect a challenging race tomorrow?
MV: Definitely. We have been at a disadvantage throughout the weekend. Qualifying was good, but that doesn’t guarantee the same result in the race. I prefer to have more information and better preparation for the race. We will have to wait and see what happens.
P: You have a busy weekend with the virtual 24 hours. Can you tell us about your schedule between now and the start of the race?
MV: The virtual race is already underway. After these interviews, I have a few more things to do before returning to do my shifts. I also need to rest a bit.
P: Any overnight shifts for you?
MV: Not too late. I need a good night’s sleep.
P: Congratulations once again. Good luck in the virtual race. Oscar, let’s talk about you now. You had a brilliant performance. How did the car feel in Q3?
OP: I am happy with the car throughout the weekend. There were some clumsy laps in the middle of qualifying, but in Q3, everything came together, and I was pleased with my last lap. It has been a strong weekend for us so far, even without points yet. We are feeling good.
P: How much confidence do the updates on your car give you?
OP: The updates definitely provide a better feeling, knowing they make the car faster. This increases our confidence. It doesn’t drastically change the way we drive, but any improvement in speed is welcome. It has been feeling good, and there have been no surprises, which is always positive.
P: Can you describe the challenges of this track, especially during a lap in Q3?
OP: It’s a very difficult track, one of the most challenging of the year. It’s an old track, with gravel everywhere. As drivers, we like tracks like this because we don’t have to worry about track limits. If we go off track, we know immediately. It’s an exciting lap, with fast corners and no time to rest. It’s been a fun weekend.
P: You have a meeting with the stewards regarding an incident with Kevin Magnussen in Q1. Can you give us your perspective on what happened?
OP: I need to review more. When I looked in the mirrors, I didn’t see any car coming, and suddenly he was there. We’ll have to see what the stewards say.
P: Congratulations on your performance. Lando, let’s talk about your qualifying session. The top three were incredibly close, with less than a tenth separating them. Are you frustrated for not securing pole position? How did the car feel?
LN: The car has been great throughout the weekend. P3 is a good result, especially with such a small margin between us. It’s been a very good day and weekend for us as a team. Oscar and Max did an excellent job. It’s exciting to be so close, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
P: Given Max’s difficulties in the long stretches, how confident are you for tomorrow’s race? Is there a chance to repeat Miami?
LN: It’s complicated. Overtaking is almost impossible here, especially with the gaps so close between the cars. We always try to take advantage of the mistakes and difficulties of others. Max may have had a challenging weekend, but those who doubted Red Bull or him coming back strong in qualifying would be mistaken. We expected them to be competitive. It’s frustrating to lose pole position again, but we are close. If we can maintain a strong pace like we did in Miami, we can have a good race.
Q: Let’s open for questions.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is about to make a surprising move in his career. Rumors indicate that the Portuguese player is considering returning to Manchester United, the club where he began his football journey. The news has left United fans excited and eager to see the superstar in action again wearing the red shirt.
According to sources close to the player, Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy with his current situation at Juventus, the Italian club where he has been playing since 2018. Despite winning some titles with the team, the player is seeking a new challenge and sees a return to Manchester United as a unique opportunity.
Manchester United, on the other hand, is also interested in having Ronaldo’s talent in their squad. The English club has been investing in reinforcements in recent years and the signing of the Portuguese superstar would be another step to strengthen the team and pursue titles in the upcoming seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the history of football and his potential return to Manchester United would be a major milestone in the athlete’s career. At 39 years old, the player still maintains excellent physical form and remains one of the most feared goal scorers by opponents.
Despite the rumors, there is still no official confirmation about Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United. Fans will have to wait to find out if the Portuguese star will really return to wear the shirt of the club that launched him to stardom. Meanwhile, the expectation and speculation continue to grow among fans and the sports media.
