In a dramatic and unpredictable Sprint Qualifying session at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Saturday’s Sprint race. Only with a blistering lap that left even Max Verstappen trailing in his wake. The McLaren driver surged to the top of the timesheets with a 1m 40.510s in SQ3, nearly half a second clear of the Red Bull star and over six tenths faster than teammate Lando Norris.
But while McLaren ended the session in celebration, the story of the day was just as much about who didn’t make it to the final segment — with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell all eliminated before the business end of the session.
Upgrades and Expectations
With most teams bringing updates to the Ardennes, Sprint Qualifying served as the first real test of their effectiveness. Only Haas and Kick Sauber arrived in Belgium empty-handed, while the rest of the field brought everything from new front wings (Mercedes, Aston Martin) to modified floors and sidepod inlets (Williams).
All eyes were on Williams, who have introduced the fewest upgrades this year — and are rumoured to be closing the development book early. With Carlos Sainz still in the fight in Qualifying, this may have been their final push to remain competitive in the midfield melee.
SQ1: Drama Early, Hamilton Out
Sprint Qualifying opened in familiar Spa fashion: a long wait before a flurry of track activity. But the moment things got going, so did the chaos.
Red Bull was briefly under pressure as Verstappen’s car suffered a rear wheel issue in the garage. He did eventually make it out, but not before a pit lane incident between Nico Hülkenberg and Liam Lawson drew the attention of the stewards — though no further action was taken.
Among the early pace-setters was McLaren’s Piastri, who laid down a benchmark 1:41.769 minutes lap. Behind him, George Russell reported gravel on track after Mercedes junior Antonelli ran off and flat-spotted his tyres — a costly error that would come back to haunt the young Italian.
With the chequered flag out, the track became a frenzy of last-gasp efforts. Albon was on the bubble, Antonelli was under pressure, and Hamilton — pushing to escape the drop zone — spun at the Bus Stop chicane.
The gusty conditions may have contributed, but the end result was brutal with Hamilton 18th and Antonelli only 19th. Franco Colapinto (19th) and a penalised Bearman (16th, but eventually through) also featured in the back-end drama.
Eliminated in SQ1: Albon (16th), Hülkenberg (17th), Hamilton (18th), Colapinto (19th), Antonelli (20th)
SQ2: Norris on the Brink, McLaren Breathes Again
With just 10 minutes on the clock, SQ2 demanded precision — and left no room for error. McLaren was first out, with Norris trying to close a gap to Piastri that had been evident throughout the weekend.
Piastri went fastest by four tenths, only to have his lap deleted for track limits at Turn 4. That left McLaren momentarily exposed as the rest of the field took to the circuit.
Verstappen reminded everyone of his Spa prowess, topping the times by six tenths over Charles Leclerc. Piastri’s second lap was cleaner but slower, barely scraping into the top 10 in tenth place.
Tsunoda, out in 12th, added: “I just lacked the usual… those details count.”
The shock came as Norris, who had been 11th, pulled out a last-gasp effort to go fastest of all and drag himself back from the brink — a vital save for the Woking squad. Russell, however, was not so fortunate. Despite Mercedes’ new front wing endplates, the Briton joined his teammate on the sidelines.
George Russell was candid post-session, blaming a run over gravel after Antonelli’s mistake: “The pace was good… but after that, it didn’t feel good. Not ideal.”
Eliminated in SQ2: Lawson (11th), Tsunoda (12th), Russell (13th), Alonso (14th), Stroll (15th)
SQ3: Piastri Delivers When It Counts
After two frantic sessions, the final eight-minute shootout for pole began with an eerie calm — no one rushing out, knowing it would come down to one single flying lap.
Norris led the way out, with Verstappen splitting the McLarens on track. The Dutchman hoped to get a tow from Norris, but the Briton wasn’t keen on playing wingman. Piastri, behind them, had no such help.
Verstappen was the early benchmark, going three tenths quicker than Norris in Sector 1. But Piastri was also flying — just two tenths off Verstappen — before producing a sensational middle and final sector to stop the clock at 1:40.510 minutes. The lap was a statement.
A Mix of Surprises and Standouts
Behind the lead quartet came Esteban Ocon, starring for Alpine in fifth. Carlos Sainz was a solid sixth for Williams, Bearman seventh for Haas, and Gasly eighth in the other Alpine-powered car.
Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar continued his impressive weekend by qualifying ninth, while Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto ensured that eight different teams featured in the top 10.
Midfield Magic and Mercedes Misery
With both Haas cars in SQ3 and only one Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams, and Kick Sauber representative each, Saturday’s Sprint promises to be a wide-open affair. Piastri’s pole proves McLaren’s form is no fluke, while Mercedes’ woes — despite upgrades — will prompt tough internal questions.
Piastri now heads into Saturday’s Sprint with clear air and growing confidence — a remarkable recovery after a deleted lap in SQ2 nearly cost him a shot at pole. If Friday is anything to go by, Spa’s Sprint is set to be a thriller.