Oscar Piastri dominated Dash qualifying on the Belgian Grand Prix to take pole forward of Max Verstappen.
With simply eight minutes allotted for SQ3, the struggle for pole boiled right down to a single-lap shootout across the super-long 4.4-mile circuit.
Piastri’s supremacy solely briefly regarded doubtful in SQ2, when he had his finest time deleted for exceeding observe limits at Raidillon and dropped precipitously to tenth on the finish of the phase, escaping an early elimination by simply 0.041s. However as soon as by to the ultimate eight-minute pole-setting phase, the title chief obliterated the sector.
His automotive loaded up with downforce, the Australian was solely fifth quickest within the straight-dominated first sector, however he blitzed the center cut up and was quickest even within the power-sensitive remaining sector to set the benchmark at 1m40.510s. It despatched him straight to the highest of the time sheet, capturing 0.618s previous McLaren teammate Lando Norris and 0.477s forward of Purple Bull’s Verstappen, his closest challenger.
“That was lap,” he stated. “The automotive’s been mega all day. I really feel like I’ve been in a position to put in plenty of good laps.
“Due to the crew. The automotive’s been nice. This can be a observe I really like – it’s my favourite one of many yr. Possibly that gave me a few further tenths.
“The automotive has been in window from lap 1. Once more, it’s a observe I all the time get pleasure from coming to. I don’t know why, however I believe I’ve had good confidence.”
Verstappen shall be relying on straight-line velocity at Spa. Andy Hone/Getty Photos
Even so, Piastri was extra cautious about forecasting a Dash victory from first on the grid.
“The Purple Bulls are very fast in a straight line,” he stated. “That makes life troublesome, and Spa might be the worst observe to have pole place at. However I believe the tempo within the automotive is actually sturdy. I felt good at the moment, so hopefully we are able to have day tomorrow.”
Nearly all Verstappen’s deficit to Piastri is accounted for within the center sector, the place he was nearly half a second off the tempo in a Purple Bull Racing automotive trimmed for prime velocity that be a big benefit on the long term out of the primary flip within the race.
Norris had regarded a step behind Piastri all the best way to the top of qualifying, however his 0.618s margin was extra appreciable than observe had predicted. His deficit was unfold across the lap however most concentrated within the center sector.
Charles Leclerc led the best way for Ferrari in fourth however was 0.768s off the tempo in his upgraded SF-25.
Esteban Ocon was an excellent fifth for Haas, the Frenchman 1.055s off the tempo however ending qualifying with the quickest first sector.
Carlos Sainz was sixth for Williams an additional 0.2s adrift, separating Ocon from Haas teammate Oliver Bearman in seventh.
Pierre Gasly was eighth for Alpine, prevailing in a decent battle with Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar by simply 0.012s, the pair each 1.5s off the tempo.
Gabriel Bortoleto accomplished the highest 10 for Sauber at 1.67s off pole.
Liam Lawson will line up eleventh for the Dash forward of Yuki Tsunoda, who was 0.601s slower than teammate Verstappen in SQ2.
George Russell was unexpectedly knocked out in thirteenth after ferocious observe evolution dropped him eight locations after the checkered flag as a number of midfield drivers discovered improved grip late. The Briton was 0.2s wanting a spot within the prime 10.
Aston Martin teammates Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will line up 14th and fifteenth forward of Williams driver Alex Albon and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg.
Lewis Hamilton was a shock elimination in 18th after a spin on the remaining chicane on his remaining flying lap. The Briton, who claimed a Dash pole and victory in China earlier this season, suffered a sudden locking of his rear axle on the brakes, sending him all of a sudden spinning into the run-off zone. Having already misplaced his first lap dipping into the gravel at Stavelot, it left Hamilton and not using a consultant time for the session.
Franco Colapinto certified nineteenth for Alpine forward of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, pole-getter on the earlier Dash in Miami. Antonelli spun his Mercedes into the gravel at Stavelot along with his first lap and complained of a scarcity of grip throughout his remaining try that left him behind the pack, compounding a troublesome day for the German marque.
RESULTS
