In a dramatic turn of events during the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session, Max Verstappen showcased his exceptional skills by snatching pole position away from Charles Leclerc. However, a grid penalty handed to Verstappen for a gearbox change means that Leclerc will start the race in first place on Sunday.
Verstappen’s resilience was on display as he managed to secure his best lap of the afternoon at Spa right at the end of Q3, taking pole from Leclerc. However, due to Red Bull’s decision to install their fifth gearbox of the season on Verstappen’s RB19, exceeding the permitted limit of four gearboxes per driver, he will start the Grand Prix in sixth place. This penalty elevates Leclerc to the coveted P1 spot, while Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez moves up to second.
Verstappen expressed his thoughts on the challenging conditions of the qualifying session, acknowledging the difficulty and the need for caution. He credited luck for his final position, stating, “I was very lucky to be in P10. The track was really drying quickly, and my final lap, I just didn’t have that confidence in Q2 to push more.”
Verstappen narrowly made it into Q3, with the possibility of being eliminated in Q2 hanging in the balance. However, as both Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen failed to surpass his time, Verstappen secured his place in the top ten.
The radio communication between Verstappen and his engineer during these tense moments adds to the excitement. Although initially displaying frustration, the conversation ultimately showed a positive resolution, creating a pleasant end to their exchange.
On the other hand, Leclerc’s second-place finish and subsequent pole position highlight his improvement in wet conditions. Earlier in the season, the Ferrari driver encountered difficulties during similar weather situations, notably in Spain and Canada. However, a slight adjustment in his driving style contributed to his success on Friday.
Leclerc acknowledged the subtle changes made to his style, explaining, “It’s very difficult to give details because it’s very slight changes in terms of driving style. But that makes a big difference at the end.” He also mentioned experimenting with different directions and tools in setting up his car, which boosted his confidence and lap time.
Despite his achievement, Leclerc recognizes the challenge posed by Red Bull’s exceptional pace this season. He believes that even with Verstappen’s five-place penalty, the Red Bull driver will make up ground. Additionally, he acknowledges the presence of Pérez alongside him on the grid and doesn’t underestimate the difficulty of keeping him at bay.
Verstappen, who faced a similar situation last year when he qualified on pole but received multiple grid penalties, remains optimistic. Reflecting on his previous victory at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, where he started 14th but surged to P1 by Lap 12, Verstappen expressed his determination to repeat his success despite starting from sixth.
With Verstappen’s extraordinary performances throughout the year, it’s difficult to discount his chances. He holds firm in his goal of winning the race despite the penalty.
As the anticipation for the Belgian Grand Prix builds, motorsport enthusiasts eagerly await Sunday’s race, aware that anything can unfold on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The post “Leclerc to Start in P1 as Verstappen Takes Pole but Faces Penalty” appeared first on The Boston News Tribune.
Boston News Tribune 