Belgian Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz Jr takes pole in Spa, Max Verstappen fastest but penalty puts him back of grid

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr will start on pole at the Begian Grand Prix in Spa ahead of Red Bull's Sergio Perez in second. Perez' team-mate and reigning world champion Max Verstappen was fastest in Q3 but is among a number of drivers who will start at the back of the grid due to penalties handed down.

Ad Fernando Alonso of Alpine will be third ahead of the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Belgian Grand PrixPerez quickest at Belgian GP FP3 as Hamilton struggles for Mercedes4 HOURS AGO In Q1, Vettel missed out on the cutoff for the next session by just 0.02, leading to an anguished cry to his team over the radio.

However the German former world champion — set to retire at the end of the season — was bumped up to 10th as a result of the flurry of grid penalties taken this race. The reason for seven drivers taking penalties is that Spa is seen as a circuit that lends itself to overtaking, so teams have reasoned they can make up positions over the course of Sunday's race.

Perez quickest at Belgian GP FP3 as Hamilton struggles for Mercedes Belgian Grand Prix qualifying as it happened — Ferrari and Red Bull batte for pole 'Gives me hope' — Hamilton optimistic despite Mercedes struggles Nicolas Latifi, Kevin Magnussen, Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas were all out at Q1's conclusion, which came 25 minutes later than scheduled as a track barrier was repaired before it started. During Q2, Charles Leclerc complained that 'the car is jumping like crazy in the apex of slow corners.' That complaint followed a crash in FP3, which may lead to concerns that should rain appear on Sunday, the Monegasque may find the racing heavy going.