A thrilling qualifying round on Saturday in Belgium culminated in a pole position for Lando Norris, a victory made all the more special as it took place in his mother’s homeland. Max Verstappen will start the Grand Prix on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in fourth place.
Q1: Antonelli and Hamilton Fall Short Once Again
For the first time in his Formula 1 career, Kimi Antonelli was eliminated in Q1 of a regular qualifying round. The Mercedes rookie was also knocked out. The same fate befell Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion has once again found himself in a difficult position. Due to exceeding track limits, the British Ferrari driver lost his fastest time. There was also drama for Aston Martin: the team will occupy the very last starting row on Sunday: Alonso in P19, Stroll in P20. The top three in Q1 were Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen.
Eliminated: Hamilton, Colapinto, Antonelli, Alonso, and Stroll
Q2: Tsunoda Finally Advances
Verstappen decides to skip the final run of the second part, a decision he can afford as he advances to Q3 in third place. Piastri and Norris are once again the fastest. Notably (though it shouldn’t be in a Red Bull): Yuki Tsunoda qualifies for the third and final part of the qualification. Also advancing are Racing Bulls duo Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, along with Gabriel Bortoleto among others. Impressive work.
Eliminated: Esteban Ocon, Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Hülkenberg, and Carlos Sainz Jr
Q3: Pole Position for Norris
Can Verstappen, unlike on Friday, outpace both McLarens this time and stun with a pole position for Sunday’s race? The answer: no. In the first run, he drives on used softs, and it’s Norris and Piastri who are a few tenths faster, with the Englishman coming out on top. In the second run, Verstappen has to concede too much due to a failed first sector, and he ultimately finishes fourth. Norris holds his ground in the qualification and secures pole in Belgium, his mother’s homeland.
The focus for the drivers and teams can now shift to the race. The start of the Belgian Grand Prix is on Sunday afternoon at 13:00 UTC at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
