The 2025 Belgian GP qualifying session brought serious drama and fierce competition as McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed his fourth pole position of the season. Right from the first laps at Spa-Francorchamps, it was clear we were in for a battle , and McLaren delivered big time with a front-row lockout.
McLaren Takes Control at Spa
From Q1, McLaren’s pace was undeniable. Norris and his team-mate Oscar Piastri took turns setting the benchmark. But things only heated up from there. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc briefly stole the spotlight with a flying lap, only for Norris to respond with a stunning 1:41.010. That time would send a strong message to the rest of the field.
Verstappen and Leclerc in the Mix
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looked strong early on, running a higher downforce setup than in the Sprint. But as conditions evolved and grip became unpredictable, he couldn’t match the McLaren pair’s rhythm. His final attempt in Q3 was compromised by a slide at La Source, which opened the door for Leclerc to edge him out of the top three.
Key Power Figures and Performance
Norris clocked a best lap of 1:40.562 during Q3, showing the McLaren’s balance and outright pace. Piastri was just 0.087s behind, proving that McLaren’s upgrades are working across both cars. Verstappen’s Red Bull was clearly struggling with grip on the rapidly changing track, while Leclerc squeezed every bit of performance from the Ferrari to slot into third.
Surprise Exits and Big Eliminations
Qualifying wasn’t kind to everyone. Lewis Hamilton’s track limits infringement at Raidillon cost him a spot in Q2. Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso, and Lance Stroll also failed to make it past Q1, adding unexpected drama early in the session.
Midfield Standouts in Q2 and Q3
Yuki Tsunoda delivered his best qualifying performance in months, making it into Q3 and lining up just behind the Mercedes of George Russell. Williams’ Alex Albon was another surprise, managing to beat Russell and secure a spot in the top five , an impressive feat at a demanding track like Spa.
Top 10 Grid Overview
With Norris leading the pack, followed by Piastri, Leclerc, and Verstappen, the stage is set for an intense race. Albon, Russell, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Lawson, and Bortoleto round out the top ten , a lineup that promises unpredictable racing action on Sunday.
Summary
Norris’ pole at Spa shows that McLaren is not just in the mix , they’re pushing hard for the top. With both cars on the front row and Red Bull and Ferrari lurking close behind, the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix promises to be a showdown to remember.
Disclaimer: All driver positions and timings are based on official 2025 FIA Formula 1 Belgian GP qualifying results.
| Pos | Drivers | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 5 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 7 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team |
| 12 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team |
| 13 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 14 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 16 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 17 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 18 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 19 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
