Motorsport

MAX VERSTAPPEN will start the Belgian Grand Prix on pole, with a Brit second on the grid – but it’s not Lewis Hamilton.George Russell produced one of the laps of his life to briefly set the fastest time in Spa before the Dutchman went faster.
Lewis Hamilton could only settle for third spot on the grid after a long delay following Lando Norris’ brutal crash.
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BUT HE IS BEATEN BY VERSTAPPEN
Heartbreak for Russell, who is dumped down to second, but still, what a result for the Brit.
He outqualifies Hamilton, who is third. The grid is Verstappen, Russell, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Vettel, Gasly, Perez, Bottas, Ocon, Norris.
RUSSELL TAKES PROVISIONAL POLE
The track is drying and the Brit smashes in a time at the top. Sensational stuff.
ONE MINUTE TO GO
Hamilton still on provisional pole from Perez and then Verstappen. They will all have one more go.
HAMILTON STRUGGLING
He is wrestling to keep that Merc on the road. He is fighting it. Spray going everywhere.
He completes the lap to take a provisional pole.
HAMILTON: “STILL A LOT OF SPRAY”
The world champion is out on track and his team tell him to pull back in again if he feels uncomfortable out there.
He is told that no rain is expected.
GREEN LIGHT
It will be a busy eight minutes and 59 seconds as qualifying gets underway after a 40 minute delay.
QUALIFYING WILL RESUME IN 2 MINUTES
Time to go again while there is a break in the rain.
SAFETY CAR OUT
They are checking on the conditions to see if qualifying can resume. It is still raining.

PLENTY OF CLEARING UP
Norris is being checked out by medics but it OK, as the clean up to recover his McLaren and the debris.
This corner is proving to be a problem. Especially with the way it spits cars back into oncoming traffic.
NORRIS IS HURT – BUT WALKING TO THE MEDICAL CAR
He is holding his arm. TV replays show he was aquaplaning coming up the hill at Eau Rogue.
He hit the wall and into the left handside barrier, which spits his McLaren back out across the track.
Luckily, no other cars were running behind him, as he would have been hit a second time, and they would have smashed into him.
Vettel is first arrive on the scene and pulls over to check Norris. He gets the thumbs up.
The German is livid Michael Masi, the FIA Race Director did not stop the qualifying.

RED FLAG – HUGE CRASH FOR NORRIS
Session has been stopped.

Q3 IS GO – TOP 10 SHOOT OUT IS ON
But, the heavens have opened and it is pouring down. Vettel is calling for the session to be red flagged. Says there is “too much water”.
Norris also saying he is aquaplaning in his McLaren.
Visibility is very poor.
RUSSELL GETS IN TO Q3 AGAIN
Great result from the soon-to-be Merc man. He makes it into the top 10 shoot out.
Eliminated are Stroll, Alonso, Sainz, Latifi and Leclerc.
Leclerc is not happy. Tells his Ferrari team: “We f***** it up. We will talk about it later.”
WOW THAT WAS CLOSE
Hamilton left it late but he makes it in to Q3 at the final attempt. Bottas also squeezes through.
But it is that man Norris who again tops the time sheets.
TWO MINUTES TO GO AND THE MERC DUO ARE IN THE DROP ZONE
Incredible stuff here in Spa. With rain looming, Hamilton is at risk of getting booted out of Q2. He is in 11th.
HAMILTON IMPROVES…BUT ONLY JUST
He is in seventh, one place behind George Russell’s Williams. Bottas in 10th.
The two Mercs are in grave danger here.
IN THE DROP ZONE…
Bottas, Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon, Latifi.
Merc need to get a move on.
LANDO NORRIS HAS HAD HIS WEETABIX
The Brit is flying. He smashed Q1 and is now leading in Q2. This is sensational in such tricky conditions.
GREEN LIGHT Q2 IS GO
Carlos Sainz has been told that rain is expected five minutes into the session.
So expect to see plenty of drivers on inters going out early to try and make Q3. Would any of the Williams attempt a run on slicks? Would be brave…

NORRIS WAS FLYING THERE
Took P1 from Verstappen by a whopping 0.416 seconds. Mega stuff from the McLaren man.
THIS IS GOING TO BE CLOSE…
Raikkonen, Mazepin, Schumacher, Tusnoda, Giovinazzi all in the drop zone.
NORRIS NOW GOES QUICKEST
The Brit swaps on to intermediate tyres and tops the time sheets, as more rain is expected.
Verstappen in second place. Hamilton in fourth, which should see him through.
RUSSELL GOES QUICKEST
The track is now drying and the teams will soon be switching to intermediate tyres. It is currently Russell, Latifi, Norris, Verstappen.
SPIN FOR LATIFI
Thought those intermediate tyres were a gamble. The Canadian slides off, spins but avoids the barriers.
He is fortunate to escape the boggy conditions and make his way back on track.
GREEN LIST – QUALIFYING IS GO
Interesting that Russell and Latifi have opted for intermediate tyres in the hope of scraping in to Q2.
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THE F1 season gets back on track today with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.Lewis Hamilton leads rival Max Verstappen by eight points at the halfway point of a nail-biting season.
TV/ live stream: Sky Sports F1
Friday, August 27

Practice One – 10.30am UK time
Practice Two – 2pm UK time

Saturday, August 28

Practice Three – 11am UK time
Belgian GP Qualifying – 2pm UK time

Sunday, August 29

Belgian Grand Prix – 2pm UK time

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MORE FROM MAX…
“So I think it’s definitely a very positive start but a few things to take into consideration with the weather as well.”
Lewis Hamilton was blocked on his flying run in FP1 and was down in 18th place, but he was up to third in FP2, behind Verstappen and teammate Valtteri Bottas.
He said: “It was an OK day. These sessions are very short so there is not a lot of knowledge we are gaining but we have some work to do tonight.
“Everyone keeps telling us different things about the weather for Sunday. If it rains you generally want more downforce, but if it doesn’t rain you’re stuck and you’re a sitting duck on the straights.
“We have to be very cautious because the set up changes.”
PUSHING IT TO THE MAX
Max Verstappen brushed off a late crash into the barriers as his Belgian GP got off to a mixed start.
The Dutchman topped second practice after being second in the morning’s session but slammed into the barriers late on bringing an early end to proceedings.
He lost control at turn seven and hurtled backwards into the crash barriers, doing plenty of damage to his Red Bull.
Afterwards he said: “I don’t know, I just lost the rear. I did a bit too much oversteer to correct. And, unfortunately hit the wall.
“I think, the whole day, we were quite happy. Of course, there are a few things to fine tune from FP1 to FP2 and overall we’re very happy…”
FINAL CLASSIFICATION
Max Verstappen was fastest in Thursday’s practice with the two Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton next in line.

SERG EXTENSION
Sergio Perez has signed a contract extension with Red Bull to remain with the team for next season.
The Mexican will continue to partner Max Verstappen, who already has a contract in place until the end of 2023.
Red Bull Racing Honda CEO and Team Principal, Christian Horner, said: “Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the Constructors’ Championship.
“His integration into the wider team has been seamless and we have been impressed by his performances during the first half of the season which demonstrate what he’s capable of in our car.
“Next year we move into a new era of Formula One with completely revised regulations and cars, and with over 200 races and a decade of experience under his belt, Checo will play an integral role in helping the team navigate this transition and maximise the RB18.”
Perez added: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula One and it’s a great opportunity for me. Everyone starts from zero next year with the new regulations, so my only goal is to go all the way to the top with Red Bull.”
CRASH
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has crashed into the barriers on turn five.
According to Ferrari’s Twitter account the driver is okay, but the session has now been red flagged.

‘INVALUABLE’
Max Verstappen has hailed his “invaluable” team-mate Sergio Perez, who will remain his partner for the 2022 F1 season.
Red Bull announced Perez will be remaining with the team as he continues to “play a key role” in its fortunes.
On the news of Perez’s new contract, Verstappen said: “Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the constructors’ championship.”

NEW DEAL SOON?
Williams has suggested that it will retain Nicholas Latifi at the team for the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Latifi joined Williams for the 2020 campaign alongside George Russell, and was kept on board for 2021. Last time out in Hungary, he scored his first championship points, classifying in seventh.
Latifi recently stated that he was “100% ready” to lead Williams’ driver line-up next year, should Russell depart the squad.
Williams CEO Jost Capito said of Latifi’s leadership comments: “I agree with him.
I think maybe not now yet, but he is really improving race-by-race and I’m sure by the end of the season he is ready to do that.
“Especially his personality is in the right spot to lead the team. He works very well with the engineers, he is very motivational, he is very clear in his direction, where he wants the car to develop and he’s very much liked by the team.
“He’s very demanding. I think he also learned a lot with George, they work together and spend a lot of time together on and off the track, so it’s a fantastic relationship and I’m sure by the end of the season he will be in that position that he can lead the team.
‘I’M REALLY HAPPY’
Sergio Perez has re-signed for Red Bull and will continue to race for the team in 2022.
Perez, currently fifth in the world drivers’ championship, will continue to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen for another year.
He scored the second victory of his career for the team in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June. By doing so Perez became the first driver other than Verstappen to win a race for Red Bull since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the team in 2018.
In reaction to the deal Perez said: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula One and it’s a great opportunity for me.”
SCHUMACHER TRIBUTE
Mick Schumacher is donning a tribute to his dad, Michael, this weekend.
The special helmet design comes 30 years after the legend’s first F1 appearance, which came at Spa in 1991.

VETTEL STILL UNHAPPY
Sebastian Vettel has outlined his frustration at losing his second-placed finish in Hungary due to fuel regulations.
Aston Martin withdrew their appeal against the punishment having failed to provide the necessary amount of fuel for testing post-race.
Vettel stated: “It’s very bitter because I think first, we did not have an advantage.
“Second, there was no intention, or no way we could actually explain that too little fuel was in the car.
“So something happened over the course of the race, I don’t know, a leakage or something, that the fuel simply wasn’t there anymore.
“I think it was the last lap, we found out something might not be right and we were very surprised when the fuel wasn’t in the car. It’s very bitter but those are the rules, so we have to accept and carry on.”
WHO WILL PARTNER LEWIS?
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas have remain tight-lipped on their tussle over next season’s Mercedes seat.
A decision from the championship leaders was expected this weekend but no announcement has been forthcoming.
Bottas told reporters: “Maybe I know something, maybe I don’t. But like I said, there’s no news to share.
“I think the same for me and George, that we have a job to do here, and there’s no news, and we’re going to focus on racing and getting maximum points for the team we are racing with.”
Russell said: “There’s nothing to announce one way or another this weekend, and probably not next weekend either, to be honest.
“I think it’s no problem. Do things right rather than quickly, let’s say.”
CHEQUERED FLAG
That is it for FP1, with Lewis Hamilton down in 18th with no serious time put in on the Softs.
Valtteri Bottas claims top spot with Max Verstappen second.
LAST SHOT FOR LEWIS
No points on offer in practice but Lewis Hamilton will want to put in a strong lap to finish the session off.
The Brit is back in 18th having lost that quick lap at the final chicance, having got caught behind Nicholas Latifi.
SPOTS OF RAIN
Charles Leclerc glides through the gravel at Turn 7 as the rain begins to drift back in at certain points of the track.
That could explain Max Verstappen’s slow Sector 3 that denied him top spot with that lap.
LEW UP NEXT
The rear wing on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes is much thicker and should deliver a quicker time through the tight, technical Sector 2.
Indeed, he gains around four-tenths on Valtteri Bottas here but loses time on the straights before pulling out after getting caught behind Nicholas Latifi.
Max Verstappen follows him through on the Softs – but is SLOWER than Bottas.
BOTTAS GOES TOP
First up is Valtteri Bottas, running a lower downforce setup than Lewis Hamilton in FP1.
A 1:45.199 sends him top with a gap to Max Verstappen of about 0.8 seconds – that won’t be enough.
SOFTS ARE COMING OUT
Nicholas Latifi, Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll all enter the top four on the quickest tyre compound.
But they still can’t get close to Max Verstappen on the Hards – the slowest, most durable tyre.
Let’s see what the Mercedes can muster…
MAX POWERING AHEAD
On the Hard tyres, Max Verstappen is putting in consistently quick laps to top the leaderboard.
His latest, a 1:45.905 gives him a 1.2 second lead over team-mate Sergio Perez in second – with Valtteri Bottas almost two seconds back.
KIMI OFF AGAIN
Kimi Raikkonen smacks the side of the pit wall as he comes in.
Fortunately his Alfa Romeo stays in tact as he skids alongside the concrete barrier and he is able to guide his car back to the garage. Not a pretty moment.

HAMILTON DRAGGING
Over the radio, Lewis Hamilton declares he’s far too slow on the straights.
The Mercedes star has stated previously that his car has lost a lot of raw speed to the Red Bull in recent months – and the Brit is back in 13th.
Of course, with the likelihood of rain the Mercs may be preparing their setup for wet conditions later in the weekend rather than the current dry track.
TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
1. VER2. SAI3. OCO 4. GAS5. RIC 6. PER7. STR8. LEC9. VET10. BOT
Credit: Getty
TIMESHEET TAKING SHAPE
Esteban Ocon is currently quickest ahead of Pierre Gasly and Daniel Ricciardo.
Is that a sign the Alpine will double up on its shock Hungarian GP win? Not quite.
The track is still drying out and drivers are gently pushing harder, with the Mercedes duo in eighth and tenth on the slower Hard tyres.
KIMI GOES FOR A SPIN
Kimi Raikkonen is the first driver to get a bit tail-happy, down at La Source.
That is one set of Hard tyres ruined for the Finn, who gets back underway without an issue.
Moments later, Yuki Tsunoda also loses it at the same spot, causing a bit of a traffic jam as he blocks the pit lane.
LANDO GETS US GOING
Lando Norris is on the Medium tyres for a first hot lap of the weekend.
Let’s see what the rest of the pack has in store for us.
INTERMEDIATES TO START
The majority of the runners have ventured out, including Lewis Hamilton, to take a look at the track.
But we have no timed laps yet as the track looks like it might soon dry out.
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