Saturday, August 27, 2022. 08:58
(Update : Saturday, August 27, 2022. 11:30 a.m.)
STAVELOT, Belgium — Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was fastest in qualifying, but Carlos Sainz will start ahead in the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Verstappen is among the group of drivers who took penalties for engine changes. He will start in 15th position.
The Red Bull driver still likes his chances because of his speed in qualifying.
“With such a car, it would be a shame not to be on the podium,” said Verstappen.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas received a 15 position penalty, while Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher , de Haas, were relegated to the back of the grid.
Ferrari’s Sainz finished second in qualifying on Saturday, more than six-tenths of a second behind Verstappen, but will therefore start on Sunday. He will have Red Bull driver Sergio Perez alongside him on the front row.
“I’m happy to start in the lead, but I can’t be very happy with the gap to Max,” said Sainz.
The Spaniard hasn’t dismissed the possibility of Verstappen moving up the field and scoring a ninth win this season.
“Leaving the safety car might help him if that happens. But when you look at his pace and repeat it over 44 laps, it’s possible he’ll pull off the comeback,” Sainz admitted.
Verstappen will have Leclerc at his side, who will start in 16th position. The Dutchman has an 80-point lead over the Monegasque at the top of the drivers’ standings.
The second row will be made up of Fernando Alonso of Alpine and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.
Williams driver Alex Albon caused a surprise by reaching the third stage of qualifying. He finished ninth, but will start sixth, alongside Mercedes’ George Russell.
Quebec driver Lance Stroll, of Aston Martin, was eliminated in Q2, but will eventually start in ninth position. He will have his teammate Sebastian Vettel at his side.
Ontario’s Nicholas Latifi of Williams will start in 11th place.
Q3 results :
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:43.665
2. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:44.297
3. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:44.462
4. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:44.553
5. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:45.180
6. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine-Renault) 1:45.368
7. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:45.503
8. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:45.776 9. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:45.837
10. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:46.178
Eliminated in Q2
:
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:45.767
12. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:45.827 13. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1:46.085
14. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:46.611
15. Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:47.718
Eliminated in Q1
:
16. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:46.34417. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:46.40118. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:46.55719. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:46.69220. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:47.866* = rider penalized
