Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) rediscovers the joys of the front row. The Spaniard took pole position in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday August 27 at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Author of the second fastest time, the Scuderia driver took advantage of the penalty of Max Verstappen, the fastest on the track, to blow him the first place on the grid. He will be accompanied by Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) for an unprecedented first line this season.
Finishes P2, starts from pole
Carlos Sainz will start Sunday’s race from the front of the grid #BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/zerCGecx01
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 27, 2022
On the tarmac of the longest circuit on the calendar, the starting grid for the race was drawn as much by timers as by penalties, with seven drivers relegated to the back of the grid for element changes (mainly engines, regulated and limited number during the season) on their single-seater. Among them, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, the first two in the championship. Respectively authors of the first and fourth times, the Dutchman and the Monegasque will only start 15th and 16th.
They lead the way for their teammates Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez, who will make up the front row at the start on Sunday. On the pace since the start of the weekend, the Spanish driver could even have taken pole on the track, but he missed in his last attempt, despite the suction offered by Leclerc. A little further back, Pérez couldn’t fight for the best times, but he secured his place on the front row.
The penalty game also makes the rest of the peloton happy, especially at Alpine and Mercedes. Opportunistic, Fernando Alonso moved up to third position. He will be ahead of the Silver Arrows, 4th and 5th, which confirm their return to good form. The other good result of the day is for Alexander Albon. Qualified in Q3 for the first time this season, the Thai signs the best starting position for Williams, the last team in the constructor standings, in 2022.
The results are finally contrasted in the French clan. Eliminated in Q2, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) limits the damage and will finally start eighth. The trajectory is the opposite for Esteban Ocon. Fifth on the track, the Alpine driver is one of the penalized and will start from the back of the grid, in 16th position, just ahead of Lando Norris.