In a thrilling qualifying session at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Lando Norris edged out his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to seize pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix. The session was filled with high-stakes drama, including a surprise early elimination for Lewis Hamilton and multiple on-track incidents.
Early contact as chaos unfolds
The action began before the first flying laps, as Nico Hulkenberg collided with Lance Stroll while exiting the pit lane. The Sauber driver veered into the path of the Aston Martin, causing contact that forced Hulkenberg to pit for a new front wing.
McLaren lead the way, Mercedes in trouble
McLaren dominated the session’s pace, but it was far from smooth sailing for Mercedes. Both George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli were initially languishing in the bottom five.
While Russell managed to rescue a P6 position, Antonelli couldn't improve and ended a disappointing 18th.
Lewis Hamilton’s lap deleted, apologizes to team
Just when it seemed Lewis Hamilton had done enough to progress, the stewards deleted his lap time for exceeding track limits.
The violation relegated the Ferrari driver to 16th on the grid. “I’m sorry, guys,” Hamilton radioed to his team after learning of the infraction, his second Q1 exit in as many days.
Oscar Piastri flashes in Q2, Oliverb Bearman fumes
Q2 saw Piastri edge ahead of Norris, but elsewhere tensions flared. Oliver Bearman was left furious after Yuki Tsunoda overtook him on an out lap, disrupting his rhythm. Bearman lost control exiting La Source and ultimately failed to make it through to Q3.
Final runs set the Grid
In the final flying laps, Norris and Verstappen couldn’t improve their times, while Piastri narrowly missed out on pole. Meanwhile, Alex Albon delivered a standout performance, placing his Williams P5 ahead of Russell.
Belgian Grand Prix qualifying results
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Alex Albon (Williams)
6. George Russell (Mercedes)
7. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
11. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
12. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
14. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
16. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
17. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
18. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)