SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Charles Leclerc will lead the Belgian Grand prize from pole position after clocking the second best time in qualifying behind Max Verstappenwho receives a 10-place grid penalty before the race.
Verstappen topped the timesheet in his Red Bull on Saturday at the rainy circuit in the wooded hills of the Ardennes. But the Formula 1 leader will start Sunday’s race from 11th place because of the penalty after Red Bull exceeded the permitted number of engines when they fitted a new engine to his car.
Leclerc was second fastest in his Ferrarifollowed by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver will start from second place. Lewis hamilton will start from the third followed by McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen holds a relatively comfortable 76-point lead over Norris in the overall standings, despite going three races without a win for the first time since 2021.
After McLaren was faster last week with its one-two at HungaryVerstappen showed that he cannot be excluded in Belgium, even if he has to fight his way from far back. He won here in 2022 from 14th place and last year from sixth place, after all.
“I knew I would have to start ten places back, so this was the best I could do today,” said Verstappen.
“We are not making it easy for ourselves, in the battle we are in. Today was a great day, but it was wet and tomorrow it will be dry. Hopefully we can fight with the Mercedes and Ferrari ahead, and hopefully with a bit of luck we can challenge McLaren.”
His rivals will surely expect to see Verstappen in their mirrors soon.
Norris was fastest in dry conditions during practice on Friday, but the British driver now appears to believe Red Bull has the upper hand.
“The Red Bull was a completely different level to us in the wet,” Norris said. “It’s going to be tough. Max will still come through quickly, and we’ll most likely fight with him for the win.”
Hamilton agreed, saying his main goal will be to fend off his pursuers and aim for the podium.
“Max will get through it quite quickly. I think that car is the quickest here this week, at least equal with McLaren,” Hamilton said.
After heavy rain during the final practice session kept the cars in the garages for long periods and caused officials to postpone the F2 sprint race, a steady drizzle fell on the track during qualifying, with the cars throwing up spray trails as they raced around the longest track in formula 1seven kilometers (4.3 miles).
For Leclerc it was a déjà vu of last year’s race, when he also took pole from Verstappen after the Dutchman was given a five-place penalty.
“Exactly the same,” said Leclerc. “I think without this rain we were probably fighting for P5 (fifth place), but I can’t complain.”
The eight cars from Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari all reached the final qualifying segment of the top 10 cars.
Perez probably made the most of the session with a performance that would have put him on pole had it not been for Leclerc’s final flying lap. Perez has struggled in qualifying recently and there is speculation that Red Bull could replace him midway through the season.
“It was good to finally get it together,” Perez said. “As I’ve always said, every weekend is a new opportunity to do better.”
RB’s Yuki Tsunoda will start from last on the grid, having also purchased more new engines and other new parts.