Belgian GP: Max Verstappen fastest in Spa qualifying but will start sixth after penalty, Charles Leclerc on pole
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Updated 28/07/2023 at 17:17 GMT
Max Verstappen was fastest in qualifying for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix but will start sixth following a gearbox penalty. That means Charles Leclerc will begin Sunday's race on pole after the Monegasque finished second in a fascinating qualifying session on a drying track. Heavy rain delayed the start of Q1 by 10 minutes but conditions improved to set up a dry Q3 shoot-out.
Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2023 in Spa, Belgium.
Image credit: Getty Images
Max Verstappen set the fastest time of a thrilling qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix but will line up sixth after serving a five-place grid penalty, meaning Charles Leclerc will start on pole position on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps.
A penalty for exceeding his gearbox allowance meant sixth was the best the Dutchman could do despite eclipsing Leclerc’s time by more than eight tenths of a second in his latest display of dominance.
"In Q3 you have two tyre sets and can push a bit more, risk more and that's what we did on that final lap," Red Bull's Verstappen said.
"I know I have to drop back on Sunday with the penalty I have, so it was the best I could do today.
"Sector 2 was still a bit damp. There was only one dry line and in some corners you had to do an alternative line.
"It was all about feeling confident and risking everything in that final run to get more lap time.
"We know the car was quick and even in these tricky conditions luckily we showed it again."
The world champion’s demotion sets up a fascinating grid for the race, with Leclerc joined on the front row by Sergio Perez, who once again couldn’t live with his Red Bull team-mate’s pace.
Behind the Mexican, Lewis Hamilton salvaged fourth for Mercedes and will therefore line up third, alongside Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
The McLarens looked quick again in Belgium after their recent upturn in form so Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will perhaps be disappointed to have finished only sixth and seventh respectively.
The Australian will be the last driver to benefit from Verstappen’s penalty, promoting him to fifth.
George Russell struggled from start to finish and could only manage eighth, ahead of the two Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in ninth and 10th.
Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying Top 10*
- 1. Max Verstappen (demoted to sixth)
- 2. Charles Leclerc
- 3. Sergio Perez
- 4. Lewis Hamilton
- 5. Carlos Sainz
- 6. Oscar Piastri
- 7. Lando Norris
- 8. George Russell
- 9. Fernando Alonso
- 10. Lance Stroll
*all drivers down to Piastri will be moved up one place except Verstappen, who will start sixth
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