Oscar Piastri dominant in F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying after pole ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the Top 3.
SQ1:
It was sunny to start the first part in F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps. Already at the start of it Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg was put under investigation for unsafe release in front of Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson, as the replays showed the German being released in his path.
It was cleared by the stewards straight up. Mercedes did not have a good start after Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a 360 on the gravel, which affected teammate George Russell. Replays showed Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton having an oversteer moment in the same corner after Antonelli’s spin.
The Brit eventually had a spin on his final attempt where his rear locked in a dramatic manner. He was knocked out already in 18th with a 1m43.408s lap. Williams’ Alexander Albon was the first out in 16th with a 1m43.212s lap ahead of Sauber’s Hulkenberg (1m43.217s).
The German was caught out in traffic as replays showed a hurry moment against Lawson in the final corner. Hamilton in 18th was followed by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto (1m43.587s) and Antonelli (1m45.394s). The Italian managed to set a time, but the car seemed damaged.
Replays showed gravel moment for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll too, as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri led the way in the front with a 1m41.769s on the medium compound, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris in the Top 3 at the head of the field.
SQ2:
The start of the second part in F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying was delayed due to gravel cleaning work. The McLaren pair were first to take the track on the new set of mandated medium tyres. It was Piastri ahead but the Australian’s lap time was deleted due to Turn 4 track limits.
He had to go around again. It was tasty towards the end as midfield cars started to set their lap times. Piastri was only 10th in the end, with Norris on the bubble until the last attempt to end up on top with a 1m41.412s lap ahead of Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the Top 3.
It was Lawson leading the knocked out pack in 11th with a 1m42.169s lap from Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda (1m42.184s), who had to abort his first quick lap. Mercedes had both its cars out with George Russell (1m42.330s) only 13th, ahead of Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso (1m42.453s) and Lance Stroll (1m42.832s).
SQ3:
The lot waited for the end moments to start the final part in F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying. It was a one-lap shootout and Piastri led the way after a 1m40.510s lap to secure sprint pole by nearly half a second. The McLaren was split by Verstappen in second with a 1m40.987s lap.
Norris had to be content with third after a 1m41.128s lap, with Leclerc (1m41.278s) fourth from Haas’ Esteban Ocon (1m41.565s) in the Top 5 after a solid lap. Williams’ Carlos Sainz (1m41.761s) was sixth after taking new PU elements, which included a new ICE.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (1m41.959s) was eighth from Visa Cash App RB’s Isack Hadjar (1m41.971s) and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto (1m42.176s) in the Top 10. Post-race, Gasly was put under investigation for impeding Tsunoda, as the Japanese driver along with Russell were under investigation for driving unnecessarily slowly.
UPDATE: The stewards cleared Gasly of impeding Tsunoda after the Japanese driver noted that he actually got a tow from the Frenchman, which was verified by telemetry. Here: https://x.com/fiadocsbot/status/1948784831652901130
Both Russell and Tsunoda were warned for driving unnecessarily slowly. The Brit tried to create a gap but went over the time, while the Japanese driver thought he will make up for the lost time which he couldn’t.
Russell: https://x.com/fiadocsbot/status/1948784703714042114
Tsunoda: https://x.com/fiadocsbot/status/1948784696663380028
