Formula One: Belgian Grand Prix – live

From 2016, a short video to show why Spa is one of the quickest, most beloved racetracks of all.

Despite being 11th, the fear is that Max Verstappen’s Red Bull’s new engine will blast through the pack.

Lando Norris: “We are in a good spot but Red Bull are clearly the quickest. It will be tough. Max is going to come through pretty quickly and most likely [we will] be fighting him for the win, and I’m sure he’ll be a threat for us at some point.”

Last time out, there was a soap opera taking place among the McLaren team.

Driver Standings

• 1. Max Verstappen - 265 points

• 2. Lando Norris - 189 points

• 3. Charles Leclerc - 162 points

• 4. Carlos Sainz - 154 points

• 5. Oscar Piastri - 149 points

• 6. Lewis Hamilton - 125 points

• 7. Sergio Perez - 124 points

• 8. George Russell - 116 points

• 9. Fernando Alonso - 45 points

• 10. Lance Stroll - 24 points

• 11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points

• 12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points

• 13. Daniel Ricciardo - 11 points

• 14. Oliver Bearman - 6 points

• 15. Pierre Gasly - 6 points

• 16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points

• 17. Alex Albon - 4 points

• 18. Esteban Ocon - 3 points

• 19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points

• 20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points

• 21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points

Giles Richards’ report on qualifying.

Beyond his 2021 battle with Lewis Hamilton, this has been far the hardest challenge for a title for Max Verstappen. The push of the McLarens in what looks a faster car hasn’t helped, and the temper and mistakes have followed. This time, he drove beautifully at Spa but a new engine meant a 10-place penalty. That means he starts 11th on the grid, with Charles Leclerc the beneficiary. That Lando Norris ran a shocker will be helpful, too.

Qualifying results:

• 1 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1min 53.159secs

• 2 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:53.754

• 3 Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1:53.765

• 4 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:53.835

• 5 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:53.981

• 6 Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:54.027

• 7 George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:54.184

• 8 Carlos Sainz Jr (Spa) Ferrari 1:54.477

• 9 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:54.765

• 10 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:54.810

• 11 Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:54.473

• 12 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:54.635

• 13 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) RB 1:54.682

• 14 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:54.764,

• 15. Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:55.716

• 16 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:56.308

• 17 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:56.500

• 18 Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:56.593

• 19 Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams 1:57.230

• 20 Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:57.775