Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start from the front of the pack for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix despite Max Verstappen taking a hugely impressive pole position at a rain-hit Spa-Francorchamps.
Verstappen reigned supreme throughout qualifying but the Dutchman’s 10-place grid penalty for an engine change means he will line up from only 11th on the grid.
His demotion elevates Leclerc to the sharp end with Sergio Perez second, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Lando Norris will start fourth in his McLaren.
Verstappen has been bumped down the order for taking on his fifth internal combustion engine of the season here, one more than the four he is allowed.
Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton outside of DRS range (Lap 7/44)
Where have Mercedes found this early pace from?!
Hamilton extends his lead to 1.3 seconds, outside of DRS range to Charles Leclerc.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris is just doing enough to keep Max Verstappen behind him, despite the deficit being just half-a-second.
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Albon
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 14:16
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton overtakes Charles Leclerc (Lap 3/44)
What pace from the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton!
Hamilton uses DRS to pass Leclerc down the outside with ease on the Kemmel Straight!
Hamilton leads the Belgian GP!
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piasri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Albon
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 14:11
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen already on Lando Norris’ tail!
Norris, down in P7, now has Verstappen on his tail with the Red Bull having already jumped up three places!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 14:09
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lights out!
Away we go then and Charles Leclerc reacts well and keeps the lead at the start!
Lewis Hamilton started off well and overtakes Sergio Perez up Eau Rouge and down the Kemmel Straight!
But it’s a nightmare start for Lando Norris, who drops three places to seventh as Oscar Piastri takes fourth place!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 14:07
Formation lap!
Charles Leclerc leads the pack around for the formation lap under the sun at Spa!
All the top-13 on medium tyres other than Carlos Sainz in sixth, who is on the hard compound tyres.
Here we go then! What will happen at the first turn?!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 14:01
A reminder of the starting grid at Spa:
*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation
**Tsunoda starts at the back of the grid after exceeding his engine allocation
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 13:58
George Russell who starts P6:
“A lot of unknowns going into this race, it’s a bit hotter today and it may make the deg improve. Time will tell.
“Patience game today, you can box early but you’ll pay for that today.”
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 13:55
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
“It’s going to be tough, it’s not like previous years, but we’ll see.”
“Best thing Sergio can do is take the lead by turn five and bugger off!”
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 13:53
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:
“We have to be efficient and have to win when we have the best car and score as many points as we can.”
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 13:49
Time for the Belgian national anthem at Spa!
Performed by Alyah Lukunku under the Spa sunshine!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 13:47