CARLOS SAINZ will start on pole in Spa tomorrow after penalties saw the starting grid reshuffled.
Championship leader Max Verstappen set the pace in qualifying for tomorrow’s Belgian GP – but will line up for the start down in 15th place after taking on a new engine.
Carlos Sainz is on pole for tomorrow’s Belgian GP
Max Verstappen was quickest in qualifying but a penalty means he will not be on pole
Lewis Hamilton will start fourth on the grid
The Dutchman is one of SEVEN drivers carrying engine and gearbox-related grid drops.
But Verstappen was the fastest out on the track and could still force his way into contention tomorrow.
The reigning world champion himself said it would be “a shame” to not be on the podium by the time he takes the chequered flag.
Verstappen set a fastest time of one minute 43.665 seconds to beat second fastest Sainz by a comfortable 0.632 seconds.
He will still start ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, his closest title rival, who was fourth fastest.
Leclerc is another who has taken a penalty for adding new power units – and drops to 16th as a result.
Sergio Perez was third quickest for Red Bull and will move up to the front row alongside Sainz with Alpines Fernando Alonso behind on the second row.
Lewis Hamilton could only set the seventh-fastest time in Spa but the penalties mean will start the raced in fourth.
His Mercedes team mate George Russell is one place behind in fifth.
Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said: “We need to move forward, especially with a car like this it would be a shame not to be on the podium.”
The 24-year-old leads Leclerc by a whopping 80 points in the standings with just nine races to go.
Sainz, starting from pole for the second time in his Formula One career, was keen to seize on the opportunity to take a second win but wary of Red Bulls speed.
He said: “Happy to be starting on pole but obviously not so happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap that Red Bull has on us.”
Alex Albon will start an impressive sixth for Williams ahead of McLarens Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauris Pierre Gasly and Aston Martins Lance Stroll.
His team mate Sebastian Vettel will start 10th.
