Antonelli takes pole position in Belgium ahead of Verstappen

Q1

The Cadillacs had their fast attempts completed first with Sergio Perez being faster than Valtteri Bottas. With nine minutes remaining all cars had a time set with Lando Norris topping the standings ahead of both Red Bull drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Kimi Antonelli. After two minutes the cars returned into the boxes before their second attempts. With four minutes left all cars except for the top three went out again.

Both Cadillacs improved their times, but they stayed in the elimination zone, Esteban Ocon couldn’t improve either. On the other hand, Franco Colapinto escaped the elimination zone leaving Alexander Albon on the 17^th place.

Eliminated in Q1: Alexander Albon, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll

Q2

After first fast runs Antonelli got on top with Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton and Verstappen behind. Meanwhile the Racing Bulls, Alpine, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman stayed in the elimination zone before their second attempts. With three minutes remaining the cars got back on the track.

Lewis Hamilton got out of his car and didn’t drive other lap in this part. Pierre Gasly couldn’t improve his time as he stayed 12^th, neither did his teammate Franco Colapinto. Liam Lawson also stayed in the elimination zone finishing 11^th. After this part ended Nico Hulkenberg stopped his Audi on the track due to a hydraulic leak.

Eliminated in Q2: Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz, Oliver Bearman

Q3

The last part was slightly delayed at the marshals needed to remove Hulkenberg’s car off the track. After first fast laps Lando Norris got on the provisional pole with Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen behind. With six minutes remaining there was a red flag as there was a lot of gravel on the track.

After a couple of minutes the session was resumed and the cars went out again. Verstappen was the first one on the track using the slipstream from his teammate Isack Hadjar and it got him the second place. Antonelli was faster and got the pole position, his teammate Russell finished fourth behind Lando Norris who had to abort his final lap as he made a mistake.