F1, Verstappen pole at Spa, but there is penalty: Charles Leclerc on front row

F1, Charles Leclerc on pole at Spa thanks to Max Verstappen’s penalty

It ended with another strong showing by Max Verstappen in qualifying for the Belgian GP. The Red Bull driver set the fastest time of 1:46.168 ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull), who were 820 and 877 thousandths respectively behind the Dutchman.

However, the two-time world champion, due to gearbox replacement, will be penalized five positions on the grid and will start from the sixth box. In fourth place is the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Completing the top 10 are Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).

The starting grid for the Belgian GP.

1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), penalized five positions.

7. Lando Norris (McLaren)

8. George Russell (Mercedes)

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

11. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

12. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

14. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)

15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

16. Alexander Albon (Williams)

17. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo)

18. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

19. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri)

20. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)