Belgium - Qualifying

Following Charles Leclerc's surprising Silverstone victory, Formula One moved to one of its other most iconic tracks, the Belgian Spa. The longest circuit on the calendar is always highly awaited, and many drivers would do anything to add it to the list of tracks they have won at. As always, the first step towards the coveted podium is qualifying. 

Lando Norris was the driver who managed the best run of all during the opening minutes of Q1. He was followed in the standings by the two Red Bulls, with the Mercedes and Ferrari finishing a few places down. The top three decided not to go out on track again, leaving it free for the drivers in risk of elimination. To the surprise of few, the two Cadillacs and the two Astons made up the bottom places of the elimination zone. The first two were taken by Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon. 

Kimi Antonelli returned to the top of the standings after the first runs of Q2, closely followed by Leclerc and Norris. While most of the top five decided not to go out on track again, the Monegasque did appear on the circuit once more. Although he did not have to worry about ending his day early, the same could not be said about some of the other contenders. Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Oliver Bearman made up the elimination zone.

The start of Q3 was delayed after Hulkenberg's car was remotely stopped due to a hydraulic leak. It began at 16:50 local time. After it began, Norris was the driver who jumped to the provisional pole, although his position meant little given that he had exchanged parts of his engine and thus came into the qualifying with a 10-position penalty. Before the cars could set out on their second attempts, a red flag was called in due to gravel that had been carried onto a part of the track. After the short break, Verstappen jumped to the top of the standings, only to be quickly pushed down by the ever-impressive Antonelli.

Order of the grid:

1. Kimi Antonelli

2. Max Verstappen

3. Lando Norris

4. George Russell

5. Charles Leclerc

6. Lewis Hamilton

7. Oscar Piastri

8. Arvid Lindblad

9. Gabriel Bortoleto

10. Isack Hadjar

11. Liam Lawson

12. Pierre Gasly

13. Franco Colapinto

14. Nico Hulkenberg

15. Carlos Sainz

16. Oliver Bearman

17. Alex Albon

18. Estaban Ocon

19. Valtteri Bottas

20. Sergio Perez

21. Fernando Alonso

22. Lance Stroll