Qualifying duels after Imola: 'Second drivers' do well in 2021

The qualifying session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was another entertaining session. Not only was there an exciting battle for pole between Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, but there were also some surprising results behind them.

The biggest surprise was that Perez qualified in front of Verstappen. That has never happened in the time that Albon drove alongside the Dutchman. Will there not only be a battle between Hamilton and Verstappen this season but also between the two teammates at Red Bull Racing?

Behind the top three, it was Lando Norris who impressed, but because his fastest time was taken away he is now 2-0 behind on Daniel Ricciardo. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the midfield was Esteban Ocon, who was almost half a second faster than Fernando Alonso in Imola.