F1 LIVE Qualifying | Emilia Romagna GP: Can Verstappen fight Mercedes for pole?

Live

31 October 2020 at 12:30

Matt Gretton
Editor-in-Chief

The drivers had only 90 minutes this morning to get the ideal setup for their car together. Was it enough for the Formula 1 drivers, or will the lack of time on track cause some surprises? Follow the qualifying session from Imola, Italy in the GPblog.com live blog.

Liveblog

Exciting battle

Overtaking might be difficult around the circuit in Imola so qualifying today is extra important. This is partly because of the fierce battle for fourth place in the F1 world championship. There are only six points between Daniel Ricciardo (80), Charles Leclerc (75) and Sergio Perez (74). Moreover, Lando Norris (65), Alexander Albon (64) and Pierre Gasly (63) still have a chance of winning the best of the rest place behind the two Mercedes drivers and Max Verstappen.

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New record for Mercedes?

After Lewis Hamilton's record for the most Grand Prix victories, Mercedes can break another record this weekend. The German team can secure their seventh consecutive constructors' title this weekend, pushing Ferrari's record (six titles between 1999 and 2004) out of the books.

Mercedes currently have a lead of 209 points over Red Bull Racing and after the race at Imola, a maximum of 176 points can be scored in the remaining races this season. In the unlikely event that Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon score a one-two, that means that one fourth-place is enough to cash in on the title.