F1 Belgian Grand Prix 2024 Qualifying Review: Verstappen fastest in qualifying, Leclerc to start on pole

With Max Verstappen’s engine penalty set to give him a ten place grid penalty, the Dutchman went into the third consecutive Belgian Grand Prix qualifying knowing even a pole position wouldn’t see him start at the front. A wet qualifying session at Spa saw Verstappen take the fight to the rest of the grid while it was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc stunning everyone with an incredible final lap. 

The last two Belgian Grands Prix have seen Verstappen win from P6 and P14 and this time it’s another challenge for the Dutchman as he starts outside the top ten again

Here’s a quick recap of how the Belgian Grand Prix 2024 qualifying session went.

Q1 – Haas double whammy

Max Verstappen set the fastest time as the Dutchman put in a 1:56.003s to set the benchmark for the rest of the grid. With rain looming, the drivers knew they had the task cut out. McLaren, who are one of the favourites to win at Spa given Verstappen’s engine penalty, Piastri and Norris could only manage second and fourth after their first runs. 

VCARB’s Yuki Tsunoda was the big name to get eliminated from Q1 but with the Japanese driver taking an engine penalty, it wasn’t a big factor for the team. Haas, who recently announced their new driver signing, saw both Magnussen and Hülkenberg eliminated with Guanyu Zhou and Logan Sargeant also failing to make it out of Q1

Drivers eliminated in Q1

16. Nico Hülkenberg
17. Kevin Magnussen
18. Yuki Tsunoda
19. Logan Sargeant
20. Guanyu Zhou

Q2 – Pérez scrapes through, Gasly, Ricciardo knocked out

Verstappen set the fastest time after the first runs as well in Q2 with Lando Norris six-tenths behind. While Verstappen and the McLarens battled it out up front it was Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez who had his heart in his mouth and scraped through right at the end to knock out Alex Albon, who he had replaced at Red Bull. Along with Albon, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll were also knocked out. 

Drivers eliminated in Q2

11. Alex Albon
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Valtteri Bottas
15. Lance Stroll

Q3 – Verstappen fastest, Leclerc puts in a stunning final lap

Verstappen was once again setting the benchmark after the first runs, putting a stunning 1:53.159s, six-tenths quicker than his teammate who was in second place. Lewis Hamilton was the closest to the Red Bulls after the first runs as Norris’ McLaren was almost a second down to Verstappen. 

Charles Leclerc got himself on the front, locking in a stunning final lap to go five-tenths slower than Verstappen. While Verstappen didn’t improve his time, it was enough for the reigning world champion although his engine penalty made sure he dropped to P11.  With Verstappen starting outside the top 10 it was crucial for Red Bull that Sergio Pérez had a strong Saturday and the Mexican did not disappoint as he made sure he would start on the front row with Leclerc. 

Starting Grid for the Belgian Grand Prix 2024

1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Pérez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Esteban Ocon
10. Alex Albon
11. Max Verstappen*
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Valtteri Bottas
15. Lance Stroll
16. Nico Hülkenberg
17. Kevin Magnussen
18. Logan Sargeant
19. Guanyu Zhou
20. Yuki Tsunoda*
*engine penalties