Max Verstappen stormed to pole at the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday afternoon. Initially there were fears the session wouldn’t go ahead. Especially after heavy rain limited running in practice a few hours earlier.

A minor delay was the only issues and with an ever-drying track it brought the best out of the drivers. Charles Leclerc putting in an encouraging session for Ferrari and he will start on pole following Verstappen’s five-place penalty. Sergio Perez also impressed in third.

The Mercedes and McLarens will chase with Carlos Sainz keen to join his teammate in the higher postions. Aston Martin continue to be in no mans land and will be reliant on some Alonso magic if podiums are the goal.

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Q1

Following a 10 minute delay the rain cleared enough to get the cars on track in safe driving conditions. Intermediate tyres were used throughout the session as the sunshine emerged bringing out a dry line on track.

The opening laps were tentative as the drivers came to grips with the circuit. There has been limited dry running throughout the weekend so far. The shortened practice sessions for Saturday’s sprint race making things even more difficult.

The tricky conditions caught Lando Norris out early as he ran wide into the gravel at Turn 16. The British driver was able to come in for a new front wing, but caused damage to the floor of his car. This didn’t harm his pace however, with the McLaren looking quick again.

The times were tumbling as the session went on and the grip levels around Spa-Francorchamps increased. A battle to see who could be on a hot lap at the right time.

Eventually, the usual suspect found themselves in the bottom five. Propping up teh rear was Nico Hulkenburg. Ricciardo will be disappointed in 19th. The Alpha Tauri driver had been going well but had his lap time deleted due to exceeding track limits.

The Williams drivers and Zhou also fail to make it out of Q1.

At the other end, Charles Leclerc was quickest in the Ferrari. Red Bull were yet to set the world alight in this Friday qualifying session. A sign that they would be challenged in the Belgian conditions.

Q2

The drivers remained on the intermediate tyres at the start of Q2. Times continued to come down with the switch to softs surely on a few minds on the pit wall.

Alex Albon was served an investigation notice after running wide at Turn 9. He was deemed to have impeded an oncoming driver, although this seemed harsh considering the tricky conditions. The stewards will decide if a penalty is warranted after qualifying.

Alfa Romeo – perhaps sensing another Q3 visit on the horizon – were the first to put the soft tyres on. Valtteri Bottas lead the way and soon others followed.

In a matter of minutes green turned to red. Finally we got to see these cars dip and dive around the Ardennes Forest.

Even so, the track was drying but still catching out a few drivers. Esteban Ocon careered into the wall leaving his front wing scraping along the track on his way to the pits. Ultimately, it was his undoing, as he fell down the order and out of Q2.

Bottas and Magnussen were unable to capitalise on the chaos in 14th and 13th respectively. While Gasly joined his teammate getting dumped out of Q2. A miserable final qualifying session for outgoing team principal, Otmar Szafnauer.

Conversely, McLaren continue to look lightning quick after Oscar Piastri set an incredible lap to go first in Q2. They will be fighting the front runners for a podium again this weekend.

In addition, Verstappen was annoyed over the radio after only getting P10. The reigning champion felt the team went the wrong way in their Q2 runs. The Dutchman has a five place grid penalty for the race on Sunday after exceeding his gearbox limit.

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Q3

The stage was set the final part of qualifying. Ten drivers and five teams going for glory. Furthermore each driver only had time for one lap.

Leclerc put in an early banker and led the chart after the first round of flying laps. Whereas Russell had it all do sitting in 9th just ahead of Lance Stroll.

Ferrari and Red Bull were neck and neck with the McLarens tucked in behind.

Nevertheless, it was that man again, who cannot be beaten in qualfying at the moment. Max Verstappen, putting all the pressure of the session behind him left the field behind. The penatly relegates him to 5th although it will be tough to keep him there.

That brings a timely pole position to Ferrari with Charles Leclerc taking 2nd on the day. Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton finish just behind.

Carlos Sainz takes 5th while Oscar Piastri did a sterling job to beat his experienced teammate in 6th. George Russell faces anotehr race day comabck – soemthign which is becoming concerningly frequent for the talented Brit.

Aston Martins slump continues as they can only manage the final two positions.

There’s plenty more racing to come this weekend with the Saturday sprint tomorrow. The weather is sure to play a part with more rain expected.

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