Motor racing-Verstappen equals Senna's record eight poles in a row

Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 18, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during qualifying REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

IMOLA, Italy (Reuters) -Red Bull's Max Verstappen found speed when it mattered to equal Ayrton Senna's record of eight successive pole positions in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Saturday.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri ended the session second but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding, dropping the Australian to fifth and promoting his team mate Lando Norris to the front row.