In qualifying for the Belgian GP, Norris took the lead for McLaren, trailing Oscar Piastri by just 89 seconds. Behind them, Charles Leclerc put in a superb performance, capitalizing on a mistake made by Max Verstappen on his final lap. Antonelli and Hamilton fared poorly once again, both eliminated in Q1. Tsunoda, on the other hand, put in an excellent performance, reclaiming the top ten after a long delay.
Qualifying in Belgium begins with a contact in the pit lane
The sun is hiding behind the clouds above the extraordinary Spa circuit. Qualifying for the Belgian GP starts with a bang, with Stroll touching the front wing of Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber in the pit lane, while the latter was trying to join the queue of cars that often forms when the green light comes on. The first to set off for his timed lap was Carlos Sainz, fresh from points obtained in the Sprint race. Spanish though chooses not to finish his tourMany drivers, in fact, are taking to the track with a set of used soft tires. The goal is to regain confidence with the track and with a car that is less fuel efficient than the one they drove during the sprint.
The only two to set a time were Piastri and Norris, with the former leading. Meanwhile, Verstappen and the Mercedes drivers were also attempting a flying lap. The Dutchman positioned himself between the two McLarens, while the two Silver Arrows were still quite slow. The other drivers, those who had taken a tour preparatory to the start of the session, are setting interesting times. Sainz takes the lead in the standings, followed by Lawson, Albon and Bearman. The Williams driver's lead does not last long, because he is stolen from Leclerc, while the other Ferrari, Hamilton's, is positioned sixth.
6 minutes from the end the two McLaren drivers return to the track, this time with new soft tyres. The difference was immediately noticeable, with Lando Norris completing a good lap and beating Leclerc by a good 6 tenths. Behind him, however, was Piastri. Meanwhile, With two minutes to go, the battle to avoid elimination begins. The two Mercedes drivers, both currently eliminated, take to the track. Antonelli is 11th, while Russell is 8th. The Italian driver's time is not enough, is eliminated together with Colapinto and the two Aston Martins. Bortoleto is saved at the last minute, thanks to a track limit by Hamilton at Eau Rouge. The seven-time world champion's lap was cancelled, eliminating him and finishing in 16th place.
Second qualifying session: McLaren confirms its lead
Ferrari is trying to appeal to race direction for the track limit committed by Hamilton. Nothing doing, the Englishman takes off the wheel and sadly gets out of his car. Meanwhile, the pit lane light has turned green: the first to take to the track for his flying lap is Max Verstappen, with a more charged Red Bull than the yesterday, Probably also in anticipation of tomorrow's rain. However, the two McLarens arrive, reclaiming the lead in the standings in the same order: first Piastri and second Norris. The latter is proving to be slightly closer to his teammate, with a time only 89 seconds behind.
Scary for Olly Bearman, who manages to save his car from a serious accident in PouhonThe young Haas driver returns to the pits to prepare for a second attempt. Leclerc had passed by shortly before, intent on bringing out everything his Ferrari has to offer. The result, for now, does not change: Still fourth behind McLaren and Verstappen. With two minutes to go, all drivers except Verstappen return to the track. Only McLaren, however, is on used soft tires; the others will attempt their flying lap on fresh compound.
Liam Lawson was on the verge of elimination, but was quickly overtaken by Pierre Gasly's performance. However, the Frenchman found himself in tenth place. thanks to Bortoleto's great tour, who still qualifies for Q3, while Nico Hulkenberg is left out. Alexander Albon, however, survives, holding off attacks from Ocon and Bearman. Lawson gets back inside along with Tsunoda, who surprised everyone and qualified for the final heat. Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly were ultimately eliminated.
There is no history: McLaren first and second
It seems like a story already written: the favourites for pole position are the two McLarens, but when there's someone like Verstappen on the track, nothing can be taken for granted. The first carousel of flying laps begins: Norris takes pole position provisional, detaching Oscar Piastri by almost two tenths. Third, however, is Max Verstappen, who pays those three tenths of difference from McLaren in the second sector. Leclerc, once again, does not go beyond fourth place, while the situation stabilizes George Russel, who placed himself in fifth position, well ahead of the other pursuers who entered the top ten.
With a minute and a half to go, the drivers are back on track to try and secure pole. Max Verstappen's first sector isn't good. who skids too much with his Red Bull at La Source, compromising the entire fast stretch up to Eau Rouge. The Dutchman is unable to improve, with Charles Leclerc who after a great lap steals third place from him. Fifth is Alexander Albon, ahead of Russell, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Lawson, and Bortoleto. Ahead, Lando Norris wins the battle for pole, which beats Oscar Piastri's time by 85 thousandths thanks to a 1:40.562. This is his 13th career pole.
