Lando Norris has claimed pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly beating his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.085 seconds. The qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps saw Max Verstappen of Red Bull drop to fourth place, trailing behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, due to errors on his final lap.

Key Highlights from Qualifying

• Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in the first session after his final lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits, leaving him to start from 16th position.
• Alex Albon of Williams outperformed George Russell of Mercedes by 0.059 seconds to secure fifth place.
• Yuki Tsunoda achieved his best performance since joining Red Bull, finishing sixth, just 0.381 seconds behind Verstappen.

Norris Reflects on His Performance

Norris expressed satisfaction with his lap, stating, "It was a decent lap, so I'm happy." He acknowledged the challenges posed by the track conditions and the tight competition with Piastri, who had secured the sprint pole on Friday.

Piastri's Disappointment

Piastri, despite a strong showing, was disappointed with his performance, particularly a mistake at Stavelot that cost him the chance to claim pole position. He commented, "The car was really good, but it's fine margins out there."

Weather Concerns for Race Day

Rain is forecasted for Sunday's race, which could significantly impact visibility and race strategy. Norris noted, "Most likely some rain and drizzle. Could be in for a chaotic race."

Verstappen's Struggles

Verstappen, who had been third fastest after the first runs, experienced wheelspin at La Source hairpin, which affected his lap time. He described his lap as "so bad" and acknowledged the challenges faced during qualifying.

Hamilton's Disappointment

Hamilton, who was knocked out in Q1, described the situation as "not acceptable" but remained optimistic about making the most of the race.

Looking Ahead

With the race expected to be influenced by weather conditions, all eyes will be on how the drivers adapt to the potentially wet and challenging track at Spa-Francorchamps. The stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable Belgian Grand Prix.