DRIVERS
 
1 – Max VERSTAPPEN (Purple Bull Racing) 
 
2 – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren)
 
3 – Lando NORRIS (McLaren)
 
TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Carried out by Davide Valsecchi)
 
Q: Max, pole place. Unimaginable efficiency. Inform me, please, how you can pull off a efficiency like this? The ambiance was wonderful, however everybody was pushing for the Ferrari driveras. However you, with a tough Friday, you can pull off an unbelievable lap. Discuss us by your lap, please?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yeah, actually tough weekend up to now, even this morning. So I am extremely completely happy to be on pole right here. I did not anticipate that, however we made some closing adjustments earlier than qualifying. They appeared to make it really feel a bit higher. I may push a bit more durable. And this observe is unbelievable. One a qualifying lap, , to be on the restrict right here, near the gravel… I touched the gravel within the final nook. Yeah, I am nonetheless pumping. The adrenaline may be very, very excessive. 
 
Q: Are you aware that you’re writing historical past? As a result of with eight consecutive pole positions, you might be equal to a legend of our sport, Ayrton Senna. How does it really feel? As a result of that is historical past for motorsport.
MV: Yeah, it is in fact an ideal begin to the 12 months, but in addition very particular. It is 30 years since he handed away at this observe. So, in fact, very happy to get pole right here. And in a means, it is a good reminiscence to him. He was an unimaginable Components 1 driver, particularly in qualifying laps as nicely. So, yeah, nice day for me, nice day for the workforce. So I am very, very completely happy.
 
Q: Congratulations.
MV: Thanks. 
 
Q: And in second place, nice efficiency from Oscar Piastri. Oscar, how was your quali? As a result of it looks like you had been struggling a bit, and then you definately turned a bit extra performant within the first attempt in Q3, after which within the final attempt, you had been up there. You’ll begin in first row. How was your lap?
Oscar PIASTRI: Yeah, fairly good. Somewhat little bit of a scruffy final nook, however I believe round right here it is so, so tough to do an ideal lap, so I am actually completely happy. I have been actually snug with the automobile from the second we put it on observe yesterday, and so, so near pole, however very completely happy. It has been a short while since I have been again up right here, so I am very pleased with how this weekend’s going up to now.
 
Q: And since your McLaren is so improved, tomorrow, do you assume you can battle for one thing extra?
OP: I believe sure. I believe usually up to now we are saying no, however yeah, I believe with our latest performances, we have realized to say sure. So we’ll see what we are able to do.  I believe, , we have undoubtedly been on the tempo all weekend. You already know, you may by no means rely out Max and Purple Bull, in fact, like we have simply seen. However I do not know. I believe the arrogance is excessive. In fact, it isn’t the best observe to overhaul on, however yeah, I believe the arrogance is excessive that we are able to do one thing good.
 
Q: Congratulations to your efficiency.
OP: Thanks.
 
Q: Lando Norris. Nicely completed, mate. You are only a recent winner in Components 1. Nice qualifying right now. All of the grandstands and the individuals had been cheering a bit for you since you are so nice in Components 1. How was your lap? How was your quali?
Lando NORRIS: Thanks. Yeah, nice. I imply, P3 shouldn’t be a nasty job in any respect, and yeah, inside a tenth, each of us for P1. So, tiny, tiny margins, however I believe for us as a workforce, we have had an excellent day, an excellent weekend up to now. Oscar’s completed an ideal job, and so did Max, so it’s thrilling. We’re shut, and I am unable to watch for tomorrow.
 
Q: On the lookout for the rostrum or searching for one thing else now you can get used to it?
LN: Sure, we nonetheless have to get used to it, however we’re getting nearer. To be forward of Ferrari can also be a pleasant consequence for us. However it should be shut. It should be a superb race tomorrow. Hopefully it is an thrilling one to look at, additionally an thrilling one contained in the automobile. However powerful, particularly when the lap occasions are so tight. Loads of it’s right down to Flip 1, lap one, the technique, the pit stops. So it should be a tricky race.
 
PRESS CONFERENCE 
 
Q: Max, very nicely completed to you. It has been a surprising turnaround by each you and Purple Bull after what was a tough opening day yesterday. Simply inform us, how have you ever completed it?
MV: Yeah, we saved on working. Even this morning it was not good. We simply saved on attempting to enhance the steadiness of the automobile as a result of it was shifting a bit far and wide yesterday and this morning. So yeah, I imply, I truthfully went into qualifying and I used to be like ‘nicely, if we are able to get a high 5, I’d be completely happy’ as a result of this weekend has been actually tough. There was actually no reference going into qualifying. However yeah, it felt immediately loads slightly higher. I felt extra snug. I may assault corners lastly a bit extra and it began to come back collectively and it actually got here collectively in Q3.
 
Q: Simply the place did the automobile come alive?
MV: It was simply following the observe, to be sincere. I imply Q1, Q2, Q3, simply the place there’s perhaps a bit extra time to realize. You attempt to hook up the corners a bit higher. Then, in fact, the ultimate lap is all out. You attempt to threat all of it, which I believe you can see within the closing nook. I had a little bit of a second there, however yeah, simply actually attempting to get all the pieces out of it.
 
Q: You’ve got bought the one-lap tempo. You’ve got proved that. Simply how good was the automobile within the lengthy runs yesterday? Simply how nicely ready do you are feeling for the race?
MV: By no means. I imply, yesterday was horrible in long term and brief run. This morning we wished to do a long term, however then we solely did like three laps. But in addition there it did not really feel good. However I additionally had no steadiness within the brief run. So then it is fairly regular that in the long term it isn’t good. So naturally, I believe with the steadiness that I had in qualifying, it is going to be higher. However I’ve no clue in opposition to McLaren. They regarded very robust yesterday of their long term. So hopefully, yeah, we are able to do one thing related.
 
Q: So, briefly, do you assume you may need your work minimize out tomorrow within the race?
MV: Yeah, for positive. I imply, the entire weekend we’ve been on the again foot. We managed to be on high in qualifying, however that is qualifying. You already know, the race may be once more a bit totally different. And usually I wish to be slightly bit higher ready with a bit extra data going into the race. So I suppose, yeah, we’ll have to attend and see what occurs within the race.
 
Q: Last one from me. You’ve got bought a busy weekend this weekend as a result of not solely are you racing right here, you are doing the digital 24 hours… 
MV: That is why I finished speaking.
 
Q: Simply inform us about your schedule between now and the beginning of the race? 
MV: Nicely, I imply, the race is already on, that one, as nicely. So, yeah, a number of extra issues to do after this, in fact, after which I am going to attempt to head again and do my stints earlier than I arrive to the observe right here tomorrow.
 
Q: Any evening stints?
MV: Not too late, no. I imply, I want a superb sleep for positive.
 
Q: Look, very nicely completed right now. Good luck in that as nicely. Oscar, let’s come to you now. Good job by you. Simply how good was the automobile in Q3, to start with?
OP: Yeah, I imply I have been pleased with all of it weekend to be sincere. From the beginning of P1 all through quali I believe a few scruffy laps in the course of qualifying however in Q3 it got here collectively a bit extra and I used to be pleased with the final lap. So yeah, it has been a extremely robust weekend for us up to now. There’s been no factors but in fact, they’re tomorrow, however yeah I believe we have been fairly completely happy all weekend.
 
Q: The primary time that you have had all the upgrades in your automobile. Simply how a lot confidence do they offer you?
OP: It is a greater feeling, in fact, and having components that are going to make the automobile quicker on the automobile is all the time a confidence enhance. It would not change the world when it comes to how we drive, however yeah, anytime the engineers inform you they’ll make the automobile quicker, it is all the time a pleasant little enhance. So yeah, it has been feeling good and nothing surprising, which is all the time good.
 
Q: What in regards to the observe? That is your first time racing at Imola. Simply how difficult is that this place, notably on a Q3 lap?
OP: It is actually, actually powerful. I believe, to be sincere, one of many hardest tracks of the 12 months when it comes to how old-fashioned it’s and having gravel in every single place. I believe as drivers, these are the form of tracks that we actually get pleasure from. You do not have to fret about observe limits, or at the least we did not right now. Yesterday we did. However you do not have to fret about that. You already know if you happen to’ve gone over it since you’re within the gravel otherwise you’re off. So it is a actually thrilling lap round right here and plenty of quick corners, plenty of corners on the whole, we do not get a lot time to relaxation. So it has been a enjoyable weekend.
 
Q: Oscar, I do not wish to put a dampener on what you’ve got simply completed, however you might be off to see the stewards shortly to debate what occurred with Kevin Magnussen in Q1. Are you able to simply discuss us by what occurred there out of your standpoint?
OP: Yeah, I imply, I have to see it again a bit extra. After I regarded within the mirrors, I did not see any automobiles coming. And yeah, then he was proper there. So we want to take a look and see what the stewards say. 
 
Q: Very nicely completed right now. Thanks. Lando, coming to you now. It was extremely shut, lower than one tenth separating all three of you. Pissed off to not be on pole? How good was the automobile?
LN: Automobile’s been nice all weekend, to be sincere. I believe since FP1 we have been feeling fairly good. Irritating, I imply, anytime you are inside one tenth of pole, you all the time really feel like, the place was that final little bit? And I believe it was undoubtedly in there, nevertheless it’s a tough observe simply to nail. And I believe I did a superb job. I used to be pleased with my laps. So I believe each Oscar and Max did an excellent job right now. However it’s such a fast and tough circuit. You form of need to commit. You may’t try to do issues. It’s a must to simply decide to it and form of see how you find yourself on the opposite facet. So it is all about timing. And as quickly as you misjudge one thing slightly bit, it could possibly go fallacious fairly rapidly. So it is an thrilling quali lap. I believe we did a superb job from a workforce facet. I really feel like I did a superb job right now. So robust efficiency from McLaren and excited for tomorrow.
 
Q: Given the problems that Max had yesterday on his lengthy runs, simply how assured do you are feeling going into Sunday’s race? Probability of a repeat of Miami?
MV: A troublesome one. I imply, it is nearly inconceivable to overhaul right here, particularly when the gaps are so small. Yeah, I imply, you all the time try to benefit from different individuals’s errors and struggles. As unhealthy because it sounds, you try to benefit from these occasions. I do not know, Max hasn’t had the smoothest weekend, however I believe if anybody doubted Purple Bull or him coming again and doing a superb job in qualifying, they are a bit silly. So, yeah, I believe we anticipated them to be again on observe. Annoying to overlook out to him as soon as once more in qualifying. However we’re shut and I believe we’re completely happy as a workforce with how we have all carried out. So if we are able to proceed and have a robust race tempo tomorrow like we had yesterday and like we had in Miami, then I believe we are able to all look ahead to a superb race. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR 
 
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) A query for Max, please. Max, clearly, unbelievable turnaround for you this weekend. I simply wish to ask in regards to the technique of that. You stated that this morning did not really feel good both, however did you a) have slightly little bit of a bead of the place to go after FP2 yesterday? And secondly, in a single day, did you will have, like, as a result of I do know Jake Dennis, Seb Buemi and guys like which are doing sim help, did you will have that to lean on as nicely right now?
MV: Yeah, we tried plenty of issues, in fact, fairly totally different to what we had yesterday. However then even this morning, it was not likely feeling that nice as a result of the steadiness shifted the opposite means. So yeah, simply actually stepping into issues, attempting to optimise a number of issues right here and there. However yeah, it was simply much more tough than we anticipated it to be for no matter motive. However on the finish, yeah, everybody simply caught collectively. You already know, they saved on occupied with what we may do, additionally again on the manufacturing unit and we bought there ultimately. So I believe that’s undoubtedly only a nice feeling while you you are experiencing like a extremely tough weekend to then nonetheless get it proper in qualifying. In fact I hope that it would not occur too typically however in the intervening time simply very happy that we we managed to to show it round.
 
Q: (Zsolt Godina – F1Vilag.hu) Max, you’ve got some upgrades this weekend. Had been you capable of give attention to them otherwise you had been simply chasing the efficiency and steadiness all weekend?
MV: I believe the upgrades are the upgrades, and I believe they do the job, however we had different points than simply the upgrades of the automobile. In fact, we’ve lots of people taking a look at that, however on the similar time, we even have lots of people engaged on the steadiness points that we had all through the weekend. Anyway, I believe on a regular basis while you deliver new components to the automobile, it isn’t that you just be taught all the pieces in a weekend. It takes time, race after race, each observe. Additionally, you want a little bit of a special set-up, so it requires various things from the automobile.
 
Q: (Daniel Moxon – Every day Mirror) A query for Oscar and Lando, please. We have heard about Max’s lengthy runs. Toto Wolff was saying that from what he may see, McLaren’s lengthy runs had been most likely the quickest from apply. From the info that you have seen, is that the conclusion that you just draw as nicely? And if that is the case, then would it not be honest to imagine that you just be ok with your probabilities of having the ability to perhaps go toe-to-toe with Max tomorrow? 
LN: Yeah, I imply, we had been superb yesterday, but in addition in Imola while you see others, we did not do the quickest laps in these lengthy runs. We had been most likely essentially the most constant, however plenty of others had visitors and issues like that. So it is shut, prefer it was right now. We had been assured, , the automobile felt good. It was additionally a bit colder, so perhaps if that form of got here again to us, that might be good. Yeah, we had a superb day yesterday. The entire weekend, the automobile has been performing nicely and the workforce have been doing a superb job. However I do not anticipate us simply to have like a simple day tomorrow. I believe to overhaul right here is just about inconceivable, like I stated. In order that’s our first job. However on the similar time, if we are able to stress them and form of carry on their toes all through the entire race and have a efficiency like Miami, then I believe we may be optimistic, in fact. However simply the overtaking and the technique might be a bit more durable than what was in Miami.
OP: Yeah, I believe roughly the identical factor. I believe our lengthy runs yesterday regarded good, nevertheless it’s very, very shut. I believe that is form of been the story of the season and the previous few races, everybody’s been so tight. So yeah, we’ll see. Overtaking may be very powerful right here, however I believe we may be optimistic.
 
Q: (Erwin Jaeggi – Motorsport.com) A query for Max. By way of turnarounds, how would you rank this one compared to different ones you’ve got skilled throughout a race weekend, and which different ones come to thoughts? 
MV: I believe within the final couple of years, this has undoubtedly been probably the greatest, I’d say. It has been some time that I’ve felt like we have been that far off. I imply, Singapore [2023] we had been off the entire weekend, in order that was only a horrible weekend. However right here we had been additionally fairly far off after which we managed to show it round. So it should be at the least 5, six years, as a result of I do not actually keep in mind having the ability to flip it round like that. 
 
Q: (Matt Coch – Pace Café) To each Lando and Oscar, please. The tempo of the McLaren, you’ve got stated, may be very near Max tomorrow and the Ferraris behind. What’s the important thing in your respective races to, I suppose, changing that? And a bonus one to Oscar, the place does this qualifying session stack up in your profession to date? 
LN: Truthfully, I do not know simply but. That is what tonight’s for. So I haven’t actually thought a lot in regards to the race and what to plan for. By way of tyres, I believe myself and Purple Bull are related with what tyres we’ve obtainable for tomorrow. I believe another groups have totally different tyre selections. However yeah, tonight, in spite of everything of those interviews and stuff, we form of get to work and talk about our plans for tomorrow. However on the minute, I do not know.
OP: Yeah, I imply, if you will get into the lead, that often helps out a bit early on. So, yeah, I imply, in fact, you attempt to get a superb begin, however yeah, we’ll see. I believe when it comes to qualifying classes in F1, I believe, to be sincere, it has been a robust weekend the entire time. I really feel prefer it’s been a superb qualifying session for me, I’d say, , up there. Most likely not the only finest however actually up there within the classes I’ve had, and I really feel like the final couple of weekends… Like, Miami was a superb qualifying day and I really feel like right now’s been robust as nicely. So it has been good to construct a bit extra consistency which is one thing I have been attempting to work on. so I am pleased with my day’s work.
 
Q: (Carlo Platella – Components Ardour) Max, this morning you struggled additionally in FP3. In Suzuka, the workforce wanted to make some adjustments earlier than qualifying. And in Miami, you did not appear very assured with the automobile. Do you assume that with this automobile it is tougher to get the fitting set-up?
MV: No, truly, I assumed from the beginning of the 12 months it was truly simpler in comparison with final 12 months. I believe the struggles that I had perhaps in some earlier races weren’t as massive as what we had right here. It was extra about fine-tuning a number of little issues. Now we had been simply utterly out of the window, from my feeling, to actually push. So it simply required a bit extra consideration to element to try to fine-tune that. However yeah, I nonetheless assume it is a very robust automobile that I really feel snug with. Simply by some means this weekend it has been very tough to set it up. However yeah, hopefully we realized loads from it once we get to the subsequent race. I imply, it is all the time a tough one, Monaco, , to get all the pieces out of the automobile as a result of so many issues can occur. However yeah, hopefully it’s kind of extra constant, as an example like that.
 
 
Q: (Zsolt Godina – F1Vilag.hu) To all of you, please. We’ve got extra gravel traps this weekend. As a driver, how tough was it to adapt this after plenty of fashionable racetracks with big runoff areas? 
OP: I imply, sure, it makes it a bit tougher as a result of the danger is extra, however I imply, we’ve observe limits in every single place we go. So there’s all the time the danger, even when the danger is a bit totally different. One is you find yourself within the gravel, utterly spoil the lap or the automobile. And the opposite is you go a bit huge, however you spoil your lap as nicely. It is a bit of a special threat. I believe right here, with a few of the white line adjustments we made final evening with the FIA, , we do not have to fret about whether or not we’re within the observe or out of the observe. We all know precisely if we’re in or out. And I believe for us, that is the extra satisfying factor and simpler for us. So, I believe that was a superb change in a single day. However yeah, undoubtedly in fact the consequence here’s a little bit larger than some locations, I’d say. You already know, you backside out and it is yeah… I do know I stated the implications are roughly the identical simply earlier than however If I used to be within the wall, I do not assume I’d say the identical factor. So I believe for us it’s a welcome factor. and I believe China was a really related instance. They added extra gravel again in there and we had been very complimentary of that work. So I believe we might welcome it at different tracks as nicely.
MV: Yeah, I imply, truthfully, I believe it is nice. You already know, you get punished if you happen to go huge. And like Oscar stated, , you need not look: is my tyre within the white line or not, due to the adjustments that we made with the FIA, , to color wider strains. And truthfully, it is only a unbelievable observe. I want we had 24 of these on the calendar. You already know, we go to plenty of tracks. that don’t actually excite me. However that is unbelievable. You already know, in a qualifying lap, that is the way it ought to be, . There are a number of old-school tracks that we’ve remaining on the calendar and they’re all the time very thrilling. And that is additionally what I fell in love with after I began racing and watching F1. So yeah, we want extra of these.
LN: I really feel like we’re simply returning again to the way it was six years, seven years in the past. I do not know why. They made them tarmac. They stated it was inconceivable that we would ever return, and now we’re simply going again to form of the way it was. However like Max stated, simply the actual fact we do not have to consider white strains. While you’re attempting to drive and also you’re attempting to look the place the white line is relative to your tyre and form of guess, it is simply one thing we should not have to consider. So it is extra right down to the motive force simply taking the danger and form of committing to corners, particularly on a observe like this. We’ve got to commit a lot. It is form of that threat/reward, which you will have. And on all of the tracks, it is easy for everybody simply to search out the restrict, go over the restrict, after which slowly construct again to it. Much less difficult, ? So I believe what can be much more thrilling was, as a lot as I am not the most important fan, is sort of a Dash race, , one FP1. Like this, it’s an even bigger problem for everybody and the drivers to search out the restrict with out making too massive errors. So yeah, I believe hopefully the route we are able to go in for extra of the tracks. However Imola is all the time a particular observe, so we’re all the time going to be higher right here.
 
Q: (Antonio Spina – F1 in Generale) It is a query for Max, truly. I used to be questioning if getting a pole the place your rivals are so near you or perhaps a little bit forward of you looks like extra pleasurable than simply straight dominating the tempo?
MV: I imply, I’d somewhat qualify eight tenths forward, however that is not doable. It is rather pleasurable when you will have a turnaround like we had. So yeah, I used to be actually excited in qualifying and actually completely happy after I heard that we had been on pole. So I suppose by that, yeah, it was nice that it was that shut and that we actually, actually needed to battle for it. However I nonetheless come again to the primary level. I’d somewhat qualify with loads in entrance! However I imply, that is the way it goes, proper? I suppose generally, , you will have weekends the place all the pieces actually comes collectively after which the automobile turns into like unbelievable to drive. And it would not matter what you do, it simply feels unbelievable, after which you are able to do some actually like particular laps, which have occurred up to now. However this was additionally actually cool.
 
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) One other query for Max, please. Max, I believe you bought a tow in your closing pole lap from Nico Hülkenberg. Did that make a lot distinction to your lap general, or do you are feeling fairly attached anyway?
MV: Yeah, we had been tow buddies on the market in Q2 already, Q3. So I gave him a tow to 17, then he gave me a tow to Flip 2. I believe I did arrive a bit too fast for my liking as a result of I did miss Flip 2 slightly bit. So I did achieve, then I did lose a bit in 2. General, I believe it did assist me slightly bit. However if you end up struggling the entire weekend after which lastly it is coming round, it’s important to search for these little benefits to try to keep forward. And it labored out superbly. 
 
Q: (Rodrigo França – Automobile Journal Brazil) A query to the three of you. How is the connection of you drivers with the Italian followers? In fact, they wish to see a Ferrari profitable right here, getting pole. However in fact, I imply, I believe all of them respect you, particularly Verstappen and Norris racing right here in go-karting because you had been children. So what is the relation with the Tifosi?
MV: Truthfully, it has been nice. And really, I had a joke in qualifying the place we had been driving within the pits…
OP: You noticed him too?
 
MV: Lots of people had been clapping. Then one man, he was performing some various things to me, so I gave him the finger. After which the subsequent time I got here round, he was clapping. So, , they be taught. You already know, it is easy to be not good to drivers, however I may also be not good to you, ! So, fortunately he was a bit larger up. However it’s good. After that, I suppose he appreciated it. However, , the followers on the whole listed here are very passionate. They love motorsport. In fact, naturally, there’s extra help for Ferrari right here, however that is completely positive. You already know, they’ve an enormous fan base. And, yeah, Italy loves motorsport. Go-karting as nicely, , once we grew up. I imply, it is actually unbelievable.
OP: Yeah, I noticed the identical man, I believe. He wasn’t giving me the finger, however he was giving me the thumbs down. However he was clapping for you. Wow. Did you signal with Ferrari or one thing? Is there one thing we do not know? I do not know. I imply, it is cool. I believe in all sports activities, slightly little bit of giving the opposition some stick is all the time good enjoyable, I believe, and a part of sport. In fact, there’s all the time a restrict to that. However I believe that is what sport may be about. Generally, , you have a look at all of the soccer rivalries and stuff like this, there’s all the time a lot ardour on each side. And I believe the Ferrari followers are, , the epitome of passionate followers. They have been very welcoming this weekend. Perhaps not from a distance within the pit lane, however , they have been very passionate. And , these are the form of followers that that we love in F1. For me, coming right here, it is my first time racing right here and it has been very particular however all the time Monza, though it isn’t my favorite observe on the calendar, it is one among my favorite weekends due to the followers. And none of them are cheering for me, they’re all cheering for Ferrari. So I believe, for me, being a part of occasions like that’s all the time very particular. and Yeah, credit score to the Italian followers.
LN: Yeah, I noticed the identical man, however I believe he was on my facet. To be sincere, the Italian followers have all the time been extraordinarily form to me and really supportive. Yeah, so I’ve all the time beloved coming to… I imply, Monza is, as an example, the Italian race that I believe everybody loves essentially the most. However yeah, all of them. There’s plenty of followers which have all the time supported me since go-karts. That is the place a lot of the races are in Italy while you’re that younger. So we spend plenty of time right here. However they’ve all the time been very supportive. So I thank the fan that was up there and all of them… I imply in fact I’m not in Ferrari, and plenty of them need me to go to Ferrari, however yeah, they’ve all the time been very passionate and nice followers to me, so I thank them for that.
 
ENDS