Leclerc takes Belgian GP pole despite Verstappen quickest in qualifying

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is set to start the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position although Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the fastest lap time of Q3. 

Feature image credit: Scuderia Ferrari

Leclerc has claimed his 25th career pole position at Spa-Francorchamps, for the Belgian GP, although Verstappen stood as the fastest driver in qualifying. 

Leclerc finished second in the timing boards, between the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez (third). 

However, due to the reigning world champion’s power unit penalty, it meant the Dutchman dropped down 10 places from pole position to 11th on the grid, promoting those below up one position.

As per the F1 regulations, Verstappen took a fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) ahead of the race which is one more than the four allowed. As such, he went into qualifying knowing that wherever he finished the race he would be 10 places back. 

Verstappen will now be sandwiched in between Williams’ Alexander Albon, who will now start 10th, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. 

In the dying stages of the wet qualifying session, Perez looked to be on course to secure his first pole at the circuit but Leclerc pipped him by 0.011s to take his second pole of the season.

Hamilton will start the race just behind on the second row, third on the grid, alongside McLaren’s championship contender Lando Norris. 

Norris trails Verstappen in the driver’s standings, in second, by 76 points and will be looking to benefit from the reigning champion’s penalty. 

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Verstappen tops wet F1 Belgium GP final practice as Stroll crashes out
• Friday F1 Round-Up: Verstappen and Tsunoda hit with penalties as Famin leaves Alpine
• McLaren lead the way in F1 Belgian GP FP2
• Verstappen and Tsunoda set for F1 Belgian GP grid penalties
• Verstappen tops opening practice of F1 Belgian GP
• Sainz says ‘not really’ about Audi F1 opportunity

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.