McLaren made a powerful statement during Belgian Grand Prix qualifying, dominating the session with a front-row lockout. Lando Norris took pole position by a razor-thin margin over his teammate Oscar Piastri, showcasing the team’s growing form after recent upgrades. The performance not only demonstrated McLaren’s return to elite competition but also signaled a potential threat to the dominance of traditional powerhouses like Red Bull and Ferrari. Piastri, though narrowly missing out on his first pole, contributed to a morale-boosting team result.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, usually the standout in qualifying, faltered with a mistake on his final lap. That error allowed Charles Leclerc of Ferrari to snatch third on the grid, relegating Verstappen to fourth. Despite missing the front row, Red Bull maintained a strong presence in the top ten, with all four of its affiliated cars — including those from sister team RB — performing well. This positions them strategically for the race, where Verstappen’s race pace still makes him a serious contender for victory.
Mercedes endured a deeply disappointing session, with both drivers eliminated early. Rookie Kimi Antonelli failed to make it out of Q1 for the second day in a row, continuing a tough learning curve. The more shocking result, however, was Lewis Hamilton’s exit from qualifying at the same stage. The result places both Mercedes cars at the back of the grid, a drastic fall from grace at a circuit where the team once reigned supreme.
Hamilton’s situation worsened with controversy over track limits. He initially looked to have secured a solid qualifying time, but that lap was deleted due to exceeding track limits at the demanding Raidillon corner. This late blow added to the team’s overall frustration, highlighting the strict nature of the FIA’s enforcement this season. Such penalties have affected many top drivers, but Hamilton’s elimination made it especially costly for Mercedes.
With the race approaching, Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix is set to deliver plenty of excitement. McLaren’s front-row advantage puts them in a strong position, but with Verstappen starting close behind, the battle at the front is far from settled. Leclerc’s third-place start offers another variable in the mix. For Mercedes, the focus will be on salvaging what they can through strategic maneuvers or potential weather changes — always a factor at Spa. Fans can expect a dramatic and unpredictable race.
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