Verstappen fastest in qualifying but will serve grid penalty

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start at the front of the grid as Verstappen serves a 10-place grid penalty

SPA, BELGIUM - JULY 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202407270249 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, but the Red Bull driver won’t start from pole position as he has a 10-place grid penalty.

Charles Leclerc was second to ensure he’ll start at the front, with Sergio Perez joining him on the front row.

It was mixed conditions for qualifying in Spa, with heavy rain falling before the start of the session before easing ahead of Q1.

Haas struggled to make the most of the drying track towards the end of the opening part of qualifying, seeing both of their drivers go out in Q1.

Rain started to fall again throughout qualifying, with Perez looking like he was struggling in Q2, but the Mexican just made it into the top 10 0.003s ahead of Alex Albon.

Leclerc saved his best effort for his final flying lap, edging ahead of Perez right at the end of qualifying to ensure he’ll benefit from Verstappen’s penalty.

Provisional qualifying result:

1 Max Vesrtappen (Red Bull)**

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

5. Lando Norris (McLaren)

6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

7. George Russell (Mercedes)

8. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

11. Alex Albon (Williams)

12. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

13. Daniel Ricciardo (VCARB)

14. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

16. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

18. Yuku Tsunoda (VCARB)*

19. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

20. Guanyu Zhou (Sauber)

*Tsunoda will start at the back due to an engine penalty

**Verstappen will drop 10 places due to an engine penalty.

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