Belgium GP Qualifying Report

It was a long Summer break and I was so pleased to be back to the F1 race weekend routine.

There was big news at Spa...no, not Russell vs. Bottas but the new helmet cams.  An amazing addition to the coverage, with teams worrying whether what is seen on the steering wheels might be compromising.

Even more exciting, rain!  For most of the first qualifying session, Williams were first and second, having, for once, chosen the best strategy.  Which was the intermediate tire, everyone else was on full wets when it just wasn't wet enough.  The contrast between the two Williams drivers became apparent when the rest of the field changed to inters and many of the drivers set times inbetween Russell and Latifi.  This may be the first time Latifi has made it into the second session.  Norris showed his strength in the wet conditions by finishing the session at the top, with team mate Ricciardo just scraping through. Brits are far more used to this weather than Aussies.

The rain eased off during session 2 and the fun petered out.  Norris remained at the top of the timing sheet, Ricciardo answered his doubters (somewhat) by getting through in 9th.  Latifi scored his best qualifying of his F1 career in 12th, splitting the Ferraris, who were also both out.   I guess the points haul before the break has relaxed the Canadian into F1 at last.  At least Sainz and LeClerc were in similar positions, managing to get equal amounts out of the car.  Disparities continue between Ocon (10th and through) and twice world champion Alonso (out in 14th) and Stroll (out in 15th, also son of the team owner) and four times world champion Vettel (6th and through).  All eyes are on Russell and Bottas, because most seats are secure up and down the pit lane, but here are many questions over the choice of drivers made by the teams.

Again, the weather changed for the third session, when the rain came down much harder.  Vettel and Norris were calling in on the radio for the session to end.  It did end, when Norris had a major spin.  Hot off his PR triumphs of litter-picking at Silverstone and Pride T-shirt wearing in Hungary, Vettel ignored the red flags to drive round to check Norris was okay, knowing he would be first on the scene.  Brundle had picked up the spin almost before it happened as the McLaren didn't appear on the TV coverage as the angle changed.  You forget how good he is.  

Norris's car span and span - I wonder if you just close your eyes?  Awful damage but you could see the monocoque was working.  Norris did seem to be pushing very hard, however, if he'd done it later in the session, he probably would have pole position (albeit with a pit lane start).

During the pause, Latifi commented that the Williams car would be best in the wet....well...

When the cars came out again, the condition were wet but stable.  All the cars put in a banker lap.  Then Williams pulled out another strategy coup (you wait a very long time and then two come along at once...!), having saved a set of tires.  Russell put in a pole lap but was the first to cross the line at the chequered flag.  We had to wait for Hamilton to beat him.  No.  Vettel?  No.  Verstappen?  Yes.  Russell is on the front row alongside Verstappen.  Despite being written off for most of the season, Ricciardo finished in 4th.  A thrills and spills qualifying of a true Belgian variety.