- Three-time world champion Max Verstappen topped the timesheets in Belgium
- But a ten-place grid penalty for a new engine means the Dutchman will start 11th.
- Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris start side by side from the second row
Max Verstappen conquered a slippery Spa to set the fastest time in qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix, but will start from 11th due to his 10-place grid penalty.
The reigning world champion has been penalised for carrying his fifth engine of the season, one more than he is allowed.
However, Verstappen did his best to limit the damage and appeared to be operating at a different level to the rest of the field.
“We’ll see what we can do tomorrow, but today was a very good day,” said Verstappen. “A big thank you to all the mechanics for working so late last night.”
The session was jeopardized by torrential rain that had fallen for several hours beforehand.
Max Verstappen was more than half a second faster than Charles Leclerc in qualifying
Verstappen was given a five-place grid penalty at Spa last year for exceeding his gearbox limit and will start tomorrow’s race 11th on the grid.
Verstappen (right) will have to navigate his way through traffic without incident during the race.
Although the track was extremely wet, the conditions were not as dangerous as some imagined they would be and Verstappen made the most of them.
His time was 0.595 seconds faster than that of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start from pole tomorrow.
After a controversial second place finish at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Lando Norris (pictured) starts on the second row alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc (left) is on pole with the under pressure Sergio Perez (right) coming out second after Verstappen’s penalty
He will be joined on the front row by Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez, who overcame recent struggles to set the third fastest time.
It was a disappointing day for Lando Norris, who was only fifth fastest, behind Lewis Hamilton, who will start the race third.