Belgian GP Qualifying: Pole Position Hunt at Spa | Verstappen Wins Sprint Race, Leclerc 4th
Formula 1 arrives in Belgium , at Spa , the circuit that is the University of Motoring . The hunt for pole position is on for tomorrow's race. The favorites are Max Verstappen , winner of the Sprint Race , and Oscar Piastri , fastest in yesterday's pre-qualifying session . So far, it's been a good weekend for Charles Leclerc . A nightmare, however, for the other Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton , who ended up off the track yesterday after a mistake at the wheel.
Those eliminated after Q2
Ocon, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Sainz did not make it to Q3, the final qualifying session for the Belgian GP .
McLarens lead Q2
Piastri, Norris, Verstappen , and Leclerc . These are the four drivers leading the provisional Q2 standings with six minutes to go in the session. It's no surprise to find them there: they've been the fastest and most consistent drivers so far this weekend at Spa .
Those eliminated after Q1
In addition to Hamilton and Antonelli , Colapinto and the Aston Martins of Alonso and Stroll did not get into Q2.
Hamilton penalized and demoted: he will start 16th
Lewis Hamilton is eager to put the Belgian GP weekend behind him. After yesterday's accident, the Ferrari driver will start tomorrow's race from sixteenth. A disastrous result: the Englishman had saved himself by posting the seventh fastest time in Q1 on his final attempt, but his lap was deemed illegal. The seven-time world champion was relegated to sixteenth place and will miss out on Q2.
Antonelli eliminated! He will start 17th.
It was a disastrous weekend for Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver from Bologna was cut immediately after Q1 qualifying for the Belgian GP. Tomorrow's race will start from seventeenth on the grid.
The two McLarens in the lead
The two McLarens took first place from Charles Leclerc , within seconds of each other. With four minutes to go in Q1, Lando Norris led the pack, with his teammate Oscar Piastri right behind him.
Leclerc first, Hamilton sixth
With seven minutes to go, Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap and moved into the provisional lead in Q1. Lewis Hamilton also finished sixth ahead of the McLarens and Red Bulls.
Sainz in the lead
A moment of glory for Carlos Sainz and Williams . With eight minutes to go, the former Ferrari driver is leading ahead of Lawson, Albon, Bearman, Piastri , and Verstappen .
The McLarens immediately on the track
Among the big teams, the two McLarens were the first to emerge from the pits: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were the first to start the stopwatch, taking the provisional lead in the standings. Charles Leclerc is warming up his tires, and Lewis Hamilton 's Ferrari is also due to leave the pits shortly.
Verstappen won the Sprint Race
Max Verstappen , a fearless defensive player aboard a Red Bull that doesn't fly like its rivals, but somehow finishes first, has imported the art of defensive positioning into Formula 1. "Everything worked perfectly. I knew it would be tough to keep up with them, but I did it," he commented. He won Saturday's Sprint Race in Belgium , ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri (+0.753), second, and Lando Norris (+0.661), third. The four-time world champion nibbled away a few points in the championship race, which after the race sees Piastri in the lead (241 points), second Norris (232) and third Max (173). Fourth across the finish line is the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc (+8.905). READ THE ARTICLE
Green light, Q1 begins
Qualifying for the Belgian GP is now underway. The 18-minute Q1 session, during which the top five drivers will be eliminated, has begun.
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