F1 GP Belgium, Qualifying: Pole for Hamilton, on the front row with Vettel

Again Lewis Hamilton he is the man of records. With the 68th pole of his career, the British driver Mercedes takes home the start at the post of Belgian GP and equals the myth Schumacher, right on the circuit where the German made his debut 25 years ago. Karma, coincidence, call it what you like, but so much so that once again there was none for anyone on the flying lap. He also did another little magic Hag, who took the front row, 2 tenths behind his rival Silver Arrows. Instead, their respective teammates will start behind the two contenders for the title, Bottas e Raikkonen, while Verstappen, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Perez, Ocon and Palmer complete the top five rows.

News – Q1 – Green light! The air temperature is 24°C and the asphalt temperature is 35°C. Hamilton, Perez, Bottas and Ocon first on track. Also inside are the Ferraris and Bottas. The entire grid is on ultrasoft tyres, except for Mercedes and Ferrari, the only ones with the red tyre, which will therefore not be available for the start of the race on Sunday. First time for Hamilton, 1:44.316, followed by Bottas, and then overtaken by Vettel, 41 thousandths better than the Briton. Raikkonen complained of vibrations at the rear and was forced to return to the pits for checks and tire changes. Verstappen enters third place. Hamilton takes the lead and returns to the lead with a best time of 1:44.184. Followed by Verstappen, Raikkonen, Bottas, Ricciardo, Ocon, Palmer, Perez and Vandoorne. The first four in the pits. Eighth time for Sainz, then overtaken by Hulkenberg. Checkered flag: Massa, Kvyat, Stroll, Ericsson and Wehrlein remain excluded.

Q2 – Hamilton first on track again. Ultrasoft rubber now for everyone. Raikkonen still complains of vibrations at the rear but continues. Hamilton sets the new track record, 1:43.539. Raikkonen places immediately behind, 1 tenth. Bottas, Vettel and Verstappen follow. The Dutchman from Red Bull overtakes Vettel and takes the fourth fastest time. Behind him Ricciardo, Alonso and Sainz. Hulkenberg's Renault is pushed into the pit lane by the mechanics, with the German complaining of a blocked clutch. Brief break in the pits: the ranking sees Hamilton ahead of Raikkonen, Bottas, Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Palmer, Ocon, Perez, Alonso. The two Mercedes return to the track, while the two Ferraris remain in the pits. Vandoorne, who will start last, goes out paired with Alonso, to "lead the trail" and help the Spaniard. Meanwhile, Hamilton sets a new track record: 1:42.927. Alonso complains of a drop in power, and Ocon steals tenth place from him and the possibility of accessing Q3, when he waves the checkered flag. Entering the fight for pole: Hamilton, Bottas, Kimi, Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Palmer, Perez, Hulkenberg and Ocon.

Q3- At the restart Raikkonen is the first to leave the pits. Yellow flag, with Palmer parking his Renault in the escape route. Best time for Raikkonen, then overtaken by Hamilton, the fastest in 1:42.907. Vettel third, then outclassed by Bottas. Verstappen fifth, followed by Ricciardo. Raikkonen, Bottas, Vettel, Verstappen and Ricciardo. Brief passage to the pits before the last attempt. Hamilton leads ahead of Raikkonen, Bottas, Vettel, Verstappen and Ricciardo. Still without a time trial are Perez, Hulkenberg and Ocon. Hamilton and Bottas are the first to relaunch... Raikkonen still complains of vibrations in his Ferrari. Hamilton improves and sets the pole time at 1:42.553. Bottas comes up behind him. Fourth Verstappen. Raikkonen makes a mistake and doesn't go beyond the fourth fastest time, but gives way to Vettel, who snatches the front row from Bottas. Followed by Bottas, Kimi, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Perez, Ocon and Palmer. The checkered flag gives Hamilton the 68th pole of his career, like the legend Michael Schumacher.

F1 GP Belgium – Qualifying times and results