Verstappen barely edges Russell for Belgian GP pole in chaotic qualifying session
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday during a messy qualifying session, with a downpour of rain and a Lando Norris crash at Spa-Francorchamps in Q3 causing multiple delays.
Williams' George Russell joins Verstappen on the front row after an incredible Q3 qualifying lap. This marks Russell's first appearance in the front row for Williams and the first time the race team has been there since 2017 in Italy.
"I'm absolutely buzzing," Russell said after the race. "Tomorrow's the important one, but it's been mega today. I'm delighted for everyone. If the weather is the same and it's there for the taking tomorrow, we'll go for it."
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:59.765 |
| 2 | George Russell | Williams | +0.321 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.334 |
| 4 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.099 |
| 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.170 |
| 6 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +1.399 |
| 7 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +2.347 |
| 8 | Valtteri Bottas* | Mercedes | +2.737 |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +3.748 |
| 10 | Lando Norris | McLaren | -- |
| 11 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Q2 |
| 12 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams | Q2 |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | Q2 |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | Q2 |
| 15 | Lance Stroll* | Aston Martin | Q2 |
| 16 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alpha Romeo | Q1 |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | Q1 |
| 18 | Mick Schumacher | Haas | Q1 |
| 19 | Kimi Raikkonen | Alpha Romeo | Q1 |
| 20 | Nikita Mazepin | Haas | Q1 |
*Has five-place grid penalty for Sunday's race due to Hungarian GP incident
McLaren's Norris, who finished in first position in both Q1 and Q2, was involved in a crash to begin the third qualifying session. The driver lost control of his car during a torrential downpour and spun out into a wall. Norris exited the car under his own power and was sent to the medical tent for evaluation, according to McLaren.
Norris was cleared to race on Sunday following a precautionary elbow x-ray.
UPDATE: Following precautionary checks after an accident during qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, Lando Norris has been cleared to compete in the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix by the trackside doctor and FIA medical delegate.
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) August 28, 2021
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel was furious following Norris' crash after previously calling for a red flag before the accident occurred.
Seb on the radio was *furious* after saying earlier that a red flag should come out & then Norris crashed: "What the fuck did I say? What did I say?? Unnecessary." #BelgianGP 🇧🇪 #Vettel pic.twitter.com/G1TXm3mQyT
— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) August 28, 2021