F1 LIVE | Sprint qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is gearing up for the first sprint race of the season. Max Verstappen will start the race from pole position on Saturday afternoon, with Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris following close behind.

Liveblog Emilia Romagna Sprint Race

There was another stiff battle to be seen between Verstappen and Leclerc during qualifying on Friday afternoon. Both men were hoping to set the fastest time and thus take the first step towards victory over the weekend. In the end, Verstappen managed to beat his rival and take first place.

Leclerc had to settle for second position, keeping Norris, Kevin Magnussen and Fernando Alonso far behind him. Sergio Perez performed disappointingly and did not get beyond a seventh starting position for the sprint race. Carlos Sainz finished in tenth place, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton start from eleventh and thirteenth respectively. Pierre Gasly was also disappointing: he was eliminated in Q1 already with a seventeenth time.

The FIA introduced a new points system for the sprint races this season. In 2022, the winner will receive eight points for a victory, decreasing to the number eight who can credit one point. The numbers nine through twenty receive no points for the sprint race. 

Sprint race in Italy this weekend

This weekend will be the first GP weekend with a sprint race of 2022. This means that one free practice session will take place on the Friday and qualifying will be held the same afternoon. On Saturday there will be a second practice session, after which the first sprint race of the season is on the program. The race is held on Sunday.

Last season the format was already experimented with. The sprint races were not so popular that this season will be expanded. This year there will again be three weekends with a sprint race. However, some changes have been made to the 'sprint weekend'. The pole position that is achieved this afternoon will actually be placed behind the name of the driver who achieves it and not behind the driver who wins the sprint race on Saturday.

Rivalry Verstappen and Leclerc

During this first session, all eyes will be on Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc leads the championship by a large margin over the number two, Mercedes driver George Russell. Verstappen is on P6 trailing by 46 points, yet he is considered to be Leclerc's challenger.

The Dutchman has already had two breakdowns in 2022 and recognises that this weekend in Imola will be essential for the remainder of his season and his title chances. Ferrari seems faster, more reliable and seems to have better control of the tires, so it will be difficult for Verstappen. The Red Bull driver says otherwise this season he has been particularly troubled by the balance of the RB18 during qualifying. The first practice session is therefore very important for Verstappen to find that balance now.