Despite the fact that Max Verstappen was the fastest in qualifying on Saturday in Belgium, the engine change penalty will send him to the middle of the grid, although ahead of his rival Charles Leclerc, who also has a penalty for the same reason .
That leaves the pole position in the hands of Carlos Sainz, who will play against Sergio Pérez in the hope that the favorites can come back and get into the fight. “Nobody wants to climb Eau Rouge first,” said the Mexican from Red Bull, celebrating that he will have his main rival for the victory right in front of him so he can take advantage of the slipstream en route to the next corner.
Also favored by the punishments of his rivals, Fernando Alonso will start third, and will have to watch the Mercedes, who start just behind ( Hamilton fourth and Russell , fifth).
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- Valtteri Bottas was penalized 20 positions for a change of engine components (15 positions) and gearbox (5 positions);
- Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, Guanyu Zhou, Mick Schumacher and Lando Norris were sent to the back of the grid due to engine component changes
Despite the fact that Bottas was last this Saturday, the Finn from Alfa Romeo will start as 14th, the first of those sanctioned, because his penalty is considered different from that of the rest. For his part, having qualified fifth, Esteban Ocon will start just behind Leclerc, having beaten Lando Norris.
