Oscar Piastri clinched pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen’s pace-setting lap came with a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding engine allocations. The McLaren driver edged out teammate Lando Norris in a rain-hit qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps, while Verstappen, despite topping the times, will start from 11th.
In the post-session press conference, Piastri expressed relief at securing his second career pole. “The conditions were tricky with the rain coming and going,” he said. “We nailed the final lap when it mattered. The car felt strong all weekend, and this sets us up well for tomorrow.”
Verstappen, who dominated Q3 with a lap over half a second quicker than anyone else, downplayed the penalty’s impact. “It’s frustrating, but we’ve dealt with this before,” the Red Bull driver noted. “The car is quick, and starting from 11th isn’t the end. I’ll push hard to recover positions early.”
Norris, starting third on the grid, admitted mixed feelings after a session where McLaren locked out the front row effective positions. “Oscar did a better job today,” he said. “I had a small mistake in the final sector, but the team’s in a great spot. With Max dropping back, it opens doors for us to fight for the win.”
The trio discussed the variable weather, with Piastri highlighting how McLaren’s setup handled the damp track effectively. Verstappen added that Red Bull’s upgrades this weekend boosted their wet-weather performance, despite the engine setback tied to their push for reliability in the tight 2025 title battle.
Looking ahead, Norris stressed strategy would be key on Spa’s long layout. “Tyre management and any rain could mix things up,” he predicted. All three expect a competitive race, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli lurking close behind in the order.
