WATCH: Max Verstappen utilises the tow from Nico Hulkenberg to secure pole position for the F1 Imola GP

Max Verstappen recently took pole position at the 2024 F1 Imola GP by taking a tow from Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg. After a struggling race weekend at Emilia Romagna, the reigning world champion managed to pull off the fastest lap to start from the front.

During the Q3 session, Verstappen went out for his last flying lap with just a few seconds left on the clock. Hulkenberg also made it into the top 10 and was out on track in Q3. Luckily, for Verstappen, the German was on the start-finish straight when the former was about to start his pole lap.

Nico Hulkenberg was positioned on the track in such a way that it gave Max Verstappen a massive tow. Tow is essentially the creation of a low air pressure zone between the lead and the second car. This reduces the drag for the following car, allowing it to shave off a few tenths of a second.

Since Verstappen received a great tow from Hulkenberg at the start of his flying lap, the Red Bull driver was able to clock a staggering first-sector time, which eventually helped him to bag pole position for the Imola GP. On the other hand, Nico Hulkenberg tried to push further in Q3 but only managed to place himself in 10th.

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Max Verstappen and Nico Hulkenberg on being "tow buddies" at the Imola GP qualifying

After the 2024 F1 Imola GP qualifying, both Max Verstappen and Nico Hulkenberg talked about how they helped each other during their respective flying laps.

Speaking in the post-qualifying press conference, Max Verstappen grinned and said how he and Hulkenberg were tow buddies during the session. While Hulkenberg's tow helped the reigning world champion, he admitted that he was late on the brakes at turn two.

"We were tow buddies out there. In Q2 I gave him a tow to Turn 17. Then he gave me a tow to Turn 2. I think I did arrive a bit too quick for my liking because I did miss Turn 2 a little bit, so I did gain, and then I did lose a bit in 2. Overall, I think it did help me a little bit," Verstappen said.

Similarly, Nico Hulkenberg was also not afraid to admit that both he and Verstappen helped each other during qualifying. Speaking to Sky Sports, the German driver said that the Red Bull star helped him by providing a tow in Q2. Hence, Hulkenberg reciprocated by giving Verstappen a tow in Q3.

"Max and I, we've been helping each other out this quali. He helped me a few times in Q2 and I returned the favour here [in Q3]. So yeah, you need the support of colleagues sometimes," Hulkenberg said.

The 2024 F1 Imola GP starts at 6:30 PM IST (1:00 PM GMT, 2:00 PM BST) on May 19, 2024.