Motor racing-Curses aside, Sainz hoping to end Verstappen's record run

Formula One F1 - Italian Grand Prix - Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy - September 2, 2023 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - Carlos Sainz shrugged off encouraging statistics and 'curses' on Saturday as he set his sights on winning Ferrari's home Italian Grand Prix and slamming the brakes on Red Bull and Max Verstappen's record run.

The Spaniard sent the massed ranks of Ferrari fans wild by taking pole position on a sunny afternoon at Monza, lapping just 0.013 faster than the runaway world championship leader who qualified second.