F1: Verstappen tops Belgian GP qualifying, but Sainz Jr. handed pole

Championship points leader Max Verstappen turned the fastest lap of 1m43.665s to win the pole position for the Belgium GP at Spa, but because of grid penalties for a new power unit, had to forfeit the pole to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr.

Verstappen’s lap was easily faster than Sainz Jr. by 0.632s and Verstappen got out of the car early knowing that no one could probably beat him.

Sergio Perez was third quick for Red Bull and will line up alongside Sainz on the front row. “P2 is not the worst place to be around here, looking forward to tomorrow. Very important to get a good start and try and do our own race, I think that will be key tomorrow.”

Charles Leclerc was 4th quick in the #16 Ferrari but he will also move to the back – 16th. Leclerc could not believe the gap to Verstappen. “They obviously found something,” he said.  Yes, or Verstappen is just that good.

Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso rounded out the top-5.

“It was an amazing qualifying but also the whole weekend, car’s been working really well and it all came together in qualifying. Very happy with my lap, it’s great to be here, amazing track. With a car like this, it would be a shame not to be on the podium,” said fast qualifier Verstappen who will start 15th after grid penalties.

“Happy to be starting on pole, not so happy with the gap to Max and Red Bull. We need to keep digging. Still a bit puzzled to see this big gap, makes me wonder what’s going to happen in the race,” said Sainz Jr.

So, the grid penalties were the big talking point but as Sainz said, Red Bull seem to have pulled out quite a margin over the field. The Spaniard seemed confident that the gap would tighten on race pace but even so – Verstappen might be factor at the front tomorrow regardless of his starting slot, which looks set to be P15.

Hamilton asked what his gap was to Verstappen, and upon hearing it is 1.8 seconds, sounded in total shock. Mercedes could put their struggles down to the weather and cool conditions but as far ahead as Red Bull have jumped, they seem to have fallen back.

So, what does tomorrow hold? If Perez can extract the same sort of pace as his team mate has managed in that Red Bull, he should be a force to be reckoned with. Pole here isn’t always an advantage, with the tow being so potent that often whoever is punching a hole in the air finds themselves vulnerable halfway round the first lap.

Qualifying Results

Starting Grid (After Penalties)