Max Verstappen Fastest But Carlos Sainz Claims Pole In Belgian GP

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz claimed pole for the Belgian Grand Prix despite finishing behind Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday. Verstappen stamped his authority on the session with a scintillating lap, but due to penalties for taking new power-unit components he and six other drivers will start from back of the grid positions. Verstappen will start in 15th with another of the 'sanctioned-seven' Charles Leclerc a place behind.

The 24-year-old Dutchman, whose Belgian mother was watching from the pits, was quickest ahead of Sainz, Sergio Perez and title rival Leclerc in the second Ferrari.

Esteban Ocon and his Alpine team-mate Fernando Alonso were fifth and sixth.

The two Mercedes men seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were seventh and eighth, ahead of Alex Albon of Williams and Lando Norris of McLaren.

But the qualifying result had little bearing on the shape of the grid with Ocon and Norris also facing penalties.

As a result, the radically-affected grid is set to be: Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Alex Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel.

"It was an amazing qualifying, but I think all weekend we've been on it," said Verstappen.

"The car has been working well and we've been just trying to fine-tune it - we need to move forward at the start, of course, and it would be a shame not be on the podium."

Sainz said: "It was ok and I am happy to start from pole, but obviously not happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap Red Bull has on us."

This was Spaniard Sainz's second career pole after July's British Grand Prix where he went on to claim his maiden win.

Verstappen clocked a fastest lap in one minute