Max Verstappen secured victory in the Formula 1 Sprint Race at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday, showcasing his skill and strategy. Meanwhile, Lando Norris claimed pole position for Sunday’s main Grand Prix, setting the stage for an exciting race at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Starting alongside Oscar Piastri, the Sprint qualifying pole sitter, Verstappen maintained his position and then expertly used the Red Bull’s superior straight-line speed along the Kemmel Straight to overtake Piastri. Piastri stayed close throughout the race but was unable to mount a serious challenge.
Lando Norris, Piastri’s McLaren teammate, managed to reclaim third place after a strong start from Charles Leclerc, boosting his championship lead to nine points. The race itself saw limited overtaking, but Verstappen’s control and tactical driving highlighted his growing dominance this season.
Key Performances and Team Standings
Haas had a notable sprint with Esteban Ocon finishing fifth after starting fifth on the grid, while rookie Oliver Bearman took seventh place. This solid showing helped Haas close the gap to Racing Bulls in the tightly contested fight for seventh place in the championship standings, with only two points separating the two teams.
Saturday’s Qualifying Decides Grid for Spa’s Main Race
Lando Norris bounced back in qualifying later on Saturday, narrowly beating Oscar Piastri by 0.085 seconds to secure the top starting spot on Sunday. The challenging seven-kilometer layout of Spa-Francorchamps, winding through the Ardennes Forest, posed a tough test for the drivers.
Charles Leclerc edged out Max Verstappen by an incredibly slim margin of 0.003 seconds to claim third on the grid, pushing Verstappen to fourth. To optimize performance for Sunday’s race, Verstappen opted for a higher downforce setup after his sprint win.
Williams’ Alex Albon impressed by qualifying fifth, while Yuki Tsunoda recorded his best qualifying result since joining Red Bull, finishing seventh.
Hamilton Faces Difficult Weekend
Lewis Hamilton experienced an especially tough day at Spa.
Following a subdued Sprint Race finish in 15th place and a spin that eliminated him from Q1 on Friday, Hamilton struggled to recover. During Q1 of qualifying, his flying lap was deleted because he slightly cut the track at Raidillon, relegating him to start 16th on Sunday’s grid.
“It’s turning out to be a pretty bad weekend so far,”
Hamilton commented, reflecting his frustrations.
The weather forecast complicates Sunday’s outlook, as wet conditions are expected during the afternoon. The unpredictable Ardennes climate adds more uncertainty to what promises to be an intense race day.
Verstappen on His Sprint Victory
Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his Sprint Race performance, explaining the challenges he faced during the start and the difficulty in maintaining his lead given his competitors’ tire choices.
“Yeah, I’m just happy that I was able to hang on to it. I knew of course in the start there were possibilities up to turn five. We took it and then from there onwards I knew also they had new mediums—I knew it was going to be even more difficult—so I was just trying to hang in there with the top speed that we had.”
—Max Verstappen
He also acknowledged the specific difficulty of one sector of the track and emphasized his focus on avoiding mistakes to secure the win.
“I knew the middle sector was going to be the weaker area for us and just trying not to make any mistakes there basically. And it worked very well.”
—Max Verstappen
“Of course, very pleased to win here. I mean, it’s my favorite track, home crowd, home feeling. So just very nice always to be here.”
—Max Verstappen
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix
With Norris on pole and Verstappen close behind, the Belgian Grand Prix promises a compelling showdown. The shifting weather conditions could dramatically influence race strategies, as teams balance tire choices and aerodynamic setups. Drivers like Leclerc, Piastri, and Norris will be eager to challenge Verstappen, who continues to demonstrate dominance in the championship.
Meanwhile, the struggles of veteran Lewis Hamilton highlight the unexpected twists this season has already delivered, adding further intrigue to the weekend’s outcome at Spa-Francorchamps.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, the number 13 can be used. Pastor Maldonado chose #13 when F1 introduced permanent numbers in 2014. Although some cultures see 13 as unlucky, F1 lets drivers decide their numbers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton’s experiences with ADHD and dyslexia have influenced his life, both in racing and beyond. His journey changes perceptions of success in Formula 1, highlighting the importance of recognizing learning differences.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. In Formula 1, drivers can select a permanent number from 2 to 99, except for the number 17. This number stays with them during their entire career.