F1 results: Belgian GP starting grid at Spa-Francorchamps
Carlos Sainz inherits the pole that Max Verstappen achieved, due to a penalty for the Dutch that will force him to start in 15th position.
Carlos Sainz took pole position at the Belgian GP held this weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He inherited the place that Max Verstappen would have achieved but lost, due to a penalty that sends the Dutchman to fifteenth position on the grid.
Due to the number of penalties incurred by seven drivers in total, the FIA decided to reorder the lower part of the table by qualifying times (except Bottas for a minor penalty). Verstappen’s Championship rival, Charles Leclerc, will start at sixteenth place just behind the Red Bull driver.
The Monegasque’s penalty, together with Esteban Ocon’s, lifts Fernando Alonso to third position on the grid. Sergio Pérez will start at second place.
The drivers were handed the demotions after changes to their equipment brought them over the cap allowed by Formula 1.
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Uphill battle for Hamilton and Mercedes
It’s a struggle for the Silver Arrows despite some front runners being relegated to the back of the grid. After Lewis Hamilton finished the qualifying round, he was appalled to learn that he had finished 1.8 seconds behind Verstappen.
Mercedes might have believed that the penalties given by FIA would give them their best shot at finally winning a race this season. However, even after the leaders were penalized, Hamilton will start at fourth, while teammate George Russell will be right behind him at fifth.
Despite Verstappen’s start from the back, he is still considered a contender to win his ninth race of the season. He has been delivering unbelievable performances this year, winning eight of the 13 races so far.
The starting grid for the Belgian GP
*Bottas 14th, Verstappen 15th, Leclerc 16th, Ocon 17th, Norris 18th, Zhou 19th and Schumacher 20th through penalties.