F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Hamilton breaks TRACK RECORD for pole, Bottas second, Verstappen third – latest updates – The Sun
LEWIS HAMILTON secured pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix with a stunning performance in qualifying.
The Brit set a track record after posting a blistering time, while in a shock Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Sebastien Vettel were out in Q2 after an dismal day.
Follow all the latest build-up ahead of the big race on Sunday below…
LEW BEAUTY
The salaries for all 20 Formula One stars have been revealed, with Lewis Hamilton the top earner pocketing £42million a year.
Mercedes star Hamilton – who tops the Sunday Times' Rich List – earns well over TWICE as much as every other F1 driver except Vettel.
The German, who will quit Ferrari at the end of this season, takes in £37m per year – with the lowest earners pocketing just £175,000.
It's a massive jump down to third place though, with Daniel Ricciardo – who will move to McLaren at the end of this season – way back on £16m.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen is the only other star to break the £10m per season barrier, on £14m.
LEW BEAUTY
The salaries for all 20 Formula One stars have been revealed, with Lewis Hamilton the top earner pocketing £42million a year.
Mercedes star Hamilton – who tops the Sunday Times' Rich List – earns well over TWICE as much as every other F1 driver except Vettel.
The German, who will quit Ferrari at the end of this season, takes in £37m per year – with the lowest earners pocketing just £175,000.
It's a massive jump down to third place though, with Daniel Ricciardo – who will move to McLaren at the end of this season – way back on £16m.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen is the only other star to break the £10m per season barrier, on £14m.
CORNERSTONE
The new cornering analysis will enhance the experience for F1 fans.
NORR TO COME
Lando Norris will line up an impressive P10 for today's Belgian GP.
But he believed he could have been higher up had the Renault of Ereban Ocon had not been going “extremely slowly” on his out lap.
The McLaren driver said: “Everyone's on a hot lap so there's no real rule.
“If there's no car coming fast behind you, you can slow down pretty much.
“It's not a blind place where we were slow, so there shouldn't be any problems.
“I understand that he's a bit upset because he didn't have a tow on that one; I used his, so that was pretty well managed from me and the team.”
SPA-RTY TIME
Team Mercedes are revved up and ready to go!
WEATHER FORECAST
It's far from the summers day that we were all hoping for at Spa-Francorchamps.
There is a strong chance of rain in the early afternoon and that is expected to continue throughout the race.
At the start of the race, the temperature is expecting to be at around 18 degrees Celcius.
HOW MANY LAPS?
The race is scheduled to complete 44 laps of Spa-Francorchamps.
The drivers will cover a total race distance of 308.052km.
TODAY IS THE DAY
Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Brit dominated qualifying at Spa to land pole for the 93rd pole of his illustrious career.
TOUCHING TRIBUTE
Lewis Hamilton took to Twitter after claiming pole today.
He said: “I want to dedicate this pole to Chadwick.
“What he accomplished and the legacy he left is so incredible to me.
“He’s inspired a whole generation of young black men and women and provided them with a true superhero to look up to.
“Rest in power my friend.”
WHAT A RESULT
Here's how things looked at the end of qualifying.
LEW BEAUTY
After his incredible performance, Hamilton added: “We're not the strongest in the first and last section but we're good in the middle section.
“I wanted to go out first, in the clean air, and it worked out perfectly.
“Turn 1 has been a weakness in the last few years, but I was really good there and I'm happy with that.”
'REALLY, REALLY BROKE ME'
Lewis Hamilton, who claimed pole position, said: “I woke up to the sad news of Chadwick passing away.
“That news really, really broke me. He was such a shining light.
“Wakanda Forever. I just wanted to come out today and drive to perfection.”
TOUCHING TRIBUTE
Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman following his death.
GOING HAM
Here's how things are looking ahead of Sunday's big race…
HAMILTON DEDICATES HIS POLE TO CHADWICK BOSEMAN
Nice gesture that…
HAMILTON TAKES POLE
He breaks another track record and is a whopping 0.511 seconds quicker than Bottas, who is in second.
Verstappen is in third in his Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo takes fourth.
HAMILTON GOING QUICKER…
He is looking to better his first run. And Bottas cannot keep up. The Finn is dropping even further behind Hamilton's time.
HERE WE GO FINAL RUNS
Let's decide the rest of the top 10. Renault are looking strong, so too McLaren.
A CLASS OF ONE
Hamilton sets a new track record. Absolute stonking lap from the Brit, who is 0.578 seconds ahead of his teammate.
Ricciardo in third, Verstappen in fourth and Albon fifth.
ALL CARS OUT ON TRACK
Even Daniel Ricciardo's Renault, despite him reporting a braking problem in Q2.
Hamilton is on a flyer. His first crack could be enough.
Q3 IS GO
The top 10 shootout is on.
Expect to see plenty of teams using the slipstream.
Team orders will be key.
Q2 IS DONE AND FERRARI ARE OUT
Vettel will start in 14th and Leclerc in 13th.
Also eliminated are Russell, who will start 15th. and Gasly and Kvyat.
“There is not much more I can do”, says Leclerc, who was on pole in last at Spa.
THREE MINUTES TO GO
And the track is busy. George Russell is out in his Williams, having yet to set a lap time.
MERCEDES ON FORM…NOT EVEN ON THE QUICKEST TYRE
HAMILTON IN CONTROL
And easy run for the Brit, no mistakes, no lock ups, tyres in good shape.
He is fastest in Q2 and will be comfortably into the top 10.
Then Bottas then Verstappen.
Ferrari are on track and it is Vettel 13th and Leclerc in 14th.
Russell yet to set a time.
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