After the rain subsided, the time trials of the Belgian race did not offer any big surprises. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has a chance to repeat his four-year trick and drive from pole to victory at Spa.
Sovereignly dominated Red Bull throughout Max Verstappen was the fastest in Belgian qualifying, but with a gearbox change, the reigning world champion receives a five-square grid penalty.
Ferrari can start from pole for Sunday’s race Charles Leclerc and Verstappen’s teammate starts from the second grid Sergio Perez. Valtteri Bottas starts the race from square 14.
In the Spa competition, Saturday’s sprint race is on the program, so the starting order of Sunday’s race was decided in qualifying already on Friday. On Saturday, the sprint time trial will be held at 1 p.m. and the sprint race at 5:30 p.m.
Due to the rainy weather, most of the drivers left the practice sessions before qualifying without an actual time. The biggest question on Friday afternoon was whether it would be possible to get through the qualifying sessions even if you were lazy, and the start was delayed by ten minutes.
The track is considered one of the most dangerous in motorsport, and visibility on the Belgian track is almost non-existent in rainy weather. On Friday, for example, Valtteri Bottas commented on the danger of the water spray coming from the cars, as the water column remains covering the field of vision of the drivers coming behind.
Read more: F1 drivers call for cancellation of legendary race at deadly track if conditions are bad
Despite the threatening photos, at the start of qualifying on the Spa-Francorchamps track, there was even a bit of sun between the clouds and all the teams dared to put tires under the intermediate weather.
The first near-miss was seen in the first section of qualifying, when McLaren’s Landon Norris walked on the sand and broke the front wing of his car. Verstappen was the fastest in the first section, and Bottas managed to advance to the second section of qualifying in tenth place.
During the second section, the track dried out to such an extent that all teams dared to change smooth slick tires. Bottas’ qualifying sessions ended in the second section and the Finn finished in 14th place in the qualifying sessions. The timing of the Finn’s last move on the track failed and he complained about Alfa Romeo’s communication in an interview with Viaplay.
At the end of the second section, we were close to a surprise when Verstappen secured his place in the next section only on his last lap, the last of the section. McLaren won the section Oscar Piastri.
The front row positions were decided in the third section between McLarens, Ferraris, Mercedes, Red Bulls and Aston Martins.
Verstappen was the fastest in the third and decisive section. Due to Verstappen’s penalty, Leclerc, who finished second in qualifying, will start Sunday’s race from the pole, Perez from the second grid of the front row and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton three from the square. Four years ago, Leclerc happened to achieve his first race win in Belgium, and the Monaco native started from the pole that time as well.
Verstappen stated in an interview with F1 that despite the grid penalty, the reigning champion is aiming for victory, as the Red Bull car gives him excellent opportunities.
In addition to the rain, the race weekend in Belgium has not lacked drama, as Alpine said that the team manager Otmar Szafnauer and athletic director Alan Permane will leave their positions after this race weekend.
Belgian weekend qualifying results:
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1.46.168*
2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1.46.988
3. Sergio Perez, Red Bull 1.47.045
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1.47.087
5. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari 1.47.152
6. Oscar Piastri, McLaren 1.47.365
7. Lando Norris, McLaren 1.47.669
8. George Russell, Mercedes 1.47.805
9. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin 1.47.843
10. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin 1.48.841
11. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
12. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas
14. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
15. Esteban Ocon, Alpine
16. Alexander Albon, Williams
17. Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
18. Logan Sargeant, Williams
19. Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri
20. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
*Verstappen received a five grid penalty.