Belgian GP 2024
JULY 27, 2024
Qualifying Report - Verstappen tops session, Leclerc takes pole
© Ferrari
In a dramatic qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen showcased his skill by setting the fastest time, but it is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who will start from pole position due to Verstappen’s grid penalty.
The session was marred by wet conditions, forcing all drivers to use intermediate tires throughout. Teams adopted different strategies during Q3, the final segment of qualifying. Verstappen and the Ferrari drivers decided to pit for fresh intermediate tires, while Mercedes and McLaren chose to stay on the track continuously.
Verstappen dominated the session, with his initial lap time of 1m53.159s placing him firmly at the top of the leaderboard. His teammate, Sergio Perez, followed closely, securing second place at that point. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was third, leading McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Mercedes’ George Russell, and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
As the session progressed, the drivers who did not change tires, including Norris, Piastri, and Russell, found it challenging to improve their times. Norris managed to move ahead of Piastri and Russell, but their overall positions remained largely unchanged.
The critical moment came when further rain started falling late in Q3, making the track conditions even trickier. Those who had stopped to change tires, including Perez, who switched to another used set of intermediates, found themselves in a better position to set improved lap times. Verstappen, despite posting the fastest third sector of the session, was unable to better his initial time and missed out on securing the top spot by a mere 0.042 seconds.
Leclerc, however, capitalized on the changing conditions. After a relatively quiet start, where he was eighth after the initial runs, he stunned the field by leaping to second place with a superb lap. This result marks Leclerc’s best grid position since he secured pole in Monaco six races ago. With Verstappen’s penalty, which drops him to start 11th due to an engine change at Spa, Leclerc will inherit the pole position for the race.
This development is significant for Ferrari, as Leclerc’s performance highlights their potential to challenge the dominance of Red Bull. Starting from pole gives Leclerc a prime opportunity to secure valuable points and possibly contend for victory, a scenario that seemed less likely given the season’s earlier races.
Verstappen’s penalty, while a setback, does not diminish his impressive qualifying performance. The Dutch driver has demonstrated his pace and resilience, qualities that will be crucial as he aims to fight his way back through the field during the race. With the Red Bull’s superior race pace, Verstappen remains a strong contender despite starting from 11th.
Sergio Perez will also be a key player in the race, starting from the front row. His performance in qualifying shows that Red Bull remains a formidable force, and Perez will be eager to capitalize on his strong starting position to challenge for the win.
The Belgian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race, with mixed conditions and varied strategies likely to play a significant role. Leclerc’s pole position adds an unexpected twist, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if Ferrari can convert this advantage into a much-needed victory. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he embarks on a likely spectacular charge through the field, aiming to turn his qualifying speed into a race-winning performance.