VERSTAPPEN CHASES 9TH POLE IN A ROW

Dutchman aims to break Senna’s record, but knows it won't be easy with rivals closing in

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A week after winning by less than a second at Imola, Max Verstappen will be keener than ever to extend his recordequalling run of eight pole positions at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The three-time world champion and current series leader overcame two days of disappointing form in practice to snatch pole at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, equalling the record of Ayrton Senna in the process.

That feat gave him an advantage that he turned into victory for Red Bull by just seven-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, who followed up his maiden win in Miami with a convincing late attack in Italy.

Verstappen knows he is in a fight at every race now and that he will need to do it again on May 25 on the narrow and unforgiving barrier-lined streets of the Mediterranean principality, where qualifying has more influence than anywhere else on the Formula One calendar.

"It is so unique. Completely different," he said.