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Lewis Hamilton takes superb Belgian GP pole at a damp Spa-Francorchamps
The Ardennes has its own micro-climate in late summer, a time when the peace of the forest can be broken without warning by a sopping cloudburst.
So it proved on Saturday, as a qualifying shoot-out that began under picture-perfect skies ended in a spell of rain-lashed chaos through which Lewis Hamilton, drawing upon all his mastery in the wet, swept to a record fifth pole at the Belgian Grand Prix. “That was,” he said, still catching his breath, “the toughest session I can remember doing.”
Such is the sprawl of the Spa layout, snaking its sinuous path through the trees, it sometimes compels drivers to master several weather patterns at once.
This was one of those occasions, with Hamilton and his rivals navigating a track that changed from bone-dry to slippery so imperceptibly that Valtteri Bottas spun his car hurtling down a straight.
Hamilton, though, had his Mercedes on a string, finding the line of least resistance in another captivating rain dance.
Remarkably, only Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton’s main challenger for the title, came within three seconds of his time. Ferrari offered all manner of excuses for failing to seize a pole that, on raw pace alone, looked theirs for the taking.
Kimi Raikkonen had been dominant throughout practice and in the first two phases of qualifying, but managed only sixth as the team misjudged the late change in conditions. The Italians blamed a draining battery and poor tyre choices for their travails, but ultimately Vettel proved powerless to vanquish his nemesis under the downpours that Hamilton relishes most.
While it is easy to become blase about Hamilton’s supremacy in these circumstances, he is quick to point out the fiendish difficulty of going flat-out in the rain. “I wish you could see how tough it is out there for us all,” he said.
“It’s about a balance of compromises. I managed the battery myself and made sure I had enough power. It’s not a case that I love the rain. It was absolutely terrifying for all of us, because we were all tiptoeing around. But it’s also fun, because you just don’t know when the front wheels are going to lock.”
A pattern is developing this season, where Ferrari are widely believed to have an edge in speed, but where Mercedes still outperform them when it matters most. Hamilton holds a 24-point championship lead over Vettel not just because he has made fewer errors over the campaign, but because he is likelier candidate to stage masterclasses such as this.
Not that a superlative pole is any guarantee of victory today, given how Ferrari “blitzed” Mercedes, to use Hamilton’s own description, during practice.
He needed an inspired defensive drive to fend off the charging German here 12 months ago, and can expect to be under intense pressure to defend his lead from the outset again this time. As a composed Vettel put it: “I’m quite sure we have good pace in the car.”
There is nothing quite like a Belgian deluge to produce an unexpected grid, and the curveballs duly came in the shape of a stunning display by Force India, for whom Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez secured third and fourth just days after the team was rescued from administration.
Having been bought out by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian fashion mogul, they staged an improbable resurgence here to lock out the second row.
Fighting for survival one day, in the hunt for glory for next: it should be a stirring, romantic story. But for Ocon, the 21-year-old Frenchman who has risen rapidly through Mercedes’ junior programme, it was a feat tempered by sadness.
It is possible that come next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, he will no longer be driving for Force India at all ‒ for no better reason that Lawrence Stroll, as the team’s part-owner, wants his son Lance to take Ocon’s seat. “My future is not done,” Ocon acknowledged. “All I can do is keep my focus on the track and try to do my best.”
It was a dismal reflection on modern Formula One that the driver who qualified third yesterday should have found his employment in jeopardy from the one who qualified 19th.
As ever, sadly, money trumps merit in these circles. Ocon is a demonstrably superior talent to Lance Stroll, who has won just four points for Williams all year, and yet he stands to lose his place, simply because the Canadian teenager happens to have a billionaire father. Some justice.
Final Times after Qualifying:
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1min 58.179secs
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:58.905
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 2:01.851
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 2:01.894
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 2:02.122
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 2:02.671
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 2:02.769
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 2:02.939
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 2:04.933
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP No Time
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.844
- Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.865
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Sauber-Ferrari 1:44.062
- Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:44.301
- Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault No Time
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:44.489
- Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:44.917
- Sergey Sirotkin (Rus) Williams 1:44.998
- Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:45.134
- Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren 1:45.307
That's it from me today
That was a superb qualifying session. Chuck in a bit of rain and it always makes it much more interesting. Some superb performances, especially from Hamilton. Let's give credit to Vettel as well. He still needed to put in a good lap and he did. It just was not as good as Hamilton's. Second is not such a bad place to be.
A great result for Force India (or Racing Point Force India if you like...) too. Third and fourth! I'll be back tomorrow at around 1pm with the build-up and live updates for the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix. Thanks for joining me again.
Those Q3 times in full
The rest of the field:
11. Gasly
12. Hartley
13. Leclerc
14. Ericsson
15. Hulkenberg
16. Sainz
17. Alonso
18. Sirotkin
19. Stroll
20. Vandoorne
Bottas and Hulkenberg will start from the back row tomorrow so everyone below one or both of them will move ahead a place or two. Will be interesting to see the start tomorrow, with it a lot more mixed up at the front than we expected. The Force Indias could cause trouble at the front and there's no Raikkonen or Bottas to help the front two out...
Romain Grosjean reacts to his fifth
It was great. It's been an interesting quali. We were quick in the dry. Very happy with the changes we have made. Here we are in P5 ahead of the big boys. I had a bit of a moment in Eau Rouge. Then the track was very tricky, some of the track was drying quite quickly. It will be an interesting fight with the Force India. Obviously the big boys are going to pass.
He scored his last podium here in 2015. But it was an incident in 2012 that resulted in a one-race ban and a large fine for the Frenchman. He'll be hoping to create positive memories tomorrow.
Not sure what happened with Raikkonen in Q3 there...
...it was definitely not the intention to have only one run and that dropped him down to sixth. He could well have been starting on the front row or pole. Vettel was the last man across the line but and was quick in the first sector but he just could not find the time. Hamilton found buckets of it in the final sector and in particular the final chicane.
Vettel's inters could well have been cooked having done another hot lap on them.
Esteban Ocon reacts to a superb third
It's fantastic. Awesome do be in P3 after such a difficult time. The guys did a fantastic job. We changed the tyres really quickly and managed to go out. I put a clean lap and managed to get third so let's bring it home tomorrow.
It has been a trying time for the team. Ocon also might look likely to lose his seat to Lance Stroll and he pulls this out. And after they went out on slicks. Chance of a podium tomorrow? Yes. An outside one.
Vettel reacts to second on the grid
I think [there was some left]. I think we didn't time it great. In these conditions it can be anything. We had the pace today for pole but we'll never find out. Deserved for Lewis to get the pole but tomorrow I'm sure we have the pace in the car. I had a bit of traffic and then the track drying up, I wanted to save the tyres. You know that any lap can be the lap but you know the lap can be the end if it dries up. Happy with second. First row for tomorrow and anything can happen.
Hamilton reacts to his 78th pole
It was one of the toughest qualifying sessions I can remember. I don't know if they definitely had it. We were very close. I was hopeful but I knew it was going to be close. I can't even express how difficult it was. You're tiptoeing you don't know where the limit is. That was definitely some of the toughest. It was so hard, I went off twice. I was so glad I managed to keep it together on that last lap.
On a tight title fight:
It's painful. Everyone is on the edge of their seats.
Q3 - Two minutes to go
Raikkonen will not run again. He will be in great danger of slipping right down now...not enough fuel?
Vettel struggles around the final sector and improves by 1.2s! Hamilton also flying. Vettel will get another go at this lap...this is Hamilton's last attempt. It's now or never for him...
Q3 - Ricciardo goes again...
He's going well.
Hamilton puts in a time enough for third...Verstappen and Raikkonen ahead of him...but he's pipped by Daniel Ricciardo!
Three minutes to go. Vettel still to set a time...and he does. It's quickest! 0.225 ahead of Raikkonen.
That, though, will surely not be enough for pole as the track dries out...
The moment you end up facing the wrong way looking at your team-mate
Force Indias do not make it for a lap on slicks. They come in now...
Eight minutes to go...is this bad new for Ferrari? They struggled in the rain in Hungary. They're putting a crank of front wing on it seems? Are inters even enough at the moment? Ricciardo is struggling around La Source.
Q3 begins!
What will he see here? It's anyone's guess. A lot of jockeying for position. Hamilton and Bottas now together on track. The rain gets heavier...
Ha! This is why Spa is great...someone could become a hero here! Go on Ocon!
Brollies out in Belgium
Will we see this help Hamilton again? Brollies down again now, at least in the pitlane...this could be chaos if we see a late shower...it's not easy to quickly hop back to the pits to change tyres here. Luck will play a big part here. Or smart strategy calls...what can Mercedes use Bottas for here?
Q2 - final runs underway
Two minutes to go...and there's a yellow flag somewhere that's cleared very quickly. Hmmm. Maybe a spin. Hartley, I think.
Vettel goes top ahead of Raikkonen. Bottas does set a lap time! He's fourth and will be giving Hamilton a tow in Q3 quite likely!
Leclerc on a hot lap. Can he improve? Nope. He's down in 13th...
What can Hamilton do? A 1.41.553 just 0.052 from quickest and 0.02 from Raikkonen ahead! Wow. It's close.
Gasly, Hartley, Leclerc and Ericsson eliminated. Hulkenberg out but did not set a time.
Q2 - Ericsson climbs out of his car...
Will he run again? It doesn't seem so? Maybe they are happy with 13th and don't think they can improve it.
Valtteri Bottas is coming out then. Strange. Will he actually set a time? He'll be putting miles on his starting tyres tomorrow with this. Martin Brundle suggests a tow for Hamilton. That's fairly pointless unless he wants to get into Q3 and give Hamilton a tow in that...which makes more sense...
Q2 - who needs to run again?
Grosjean and Magnussen in sixth and seventh might be okay. Perez perhaps too. Everyone else below is not. Don't think they'll risk it though. Daniel Ricciardo is miles away from Verstappen though. No idea what on earth is up with him. He is running a different spec rear wing to Verstappen here, I think.
Q2 - Vettel cranking up the metaphorical wick
He goes quickest by some margin in the first sector. Hamilton hits back in sector two, six tenths ahead of Vettel!
Raikkonen the first over with a 1.41.6...Hamilton next with a 1.41.8, second!
Vettel loses time and is 0.5 behind Hamilton. Raikkonen has found the pace when he needed it. Vettel made a mistake in Stavelot, which is what cost him the time. Chance to improve then. A Ferrari front row perhaps still looks favourite.
Q1 - final runs underway
Hulkenberg not running again. Alonso does not improve his time and stays 17th. Out in Q1 unless he decides to go for another hot lap.
Sirotkin not looking like improving himself up the field from 20th, either. But he does in the end to P18. McLaren and Williams woeful here. Sad to see. Very sad.
Hartley improves to 12th. Stroll can only move up to 19th, behind Sirotkin. Sainz is in danger here...
Q1 - 11 minutes to go
Mercedes think Hamilton is safe but they tell Hamilton do another lap "for learning".
Meanwhile Belgium-born Max Verstappen is on a hot lap. Sector one is okay, sector two decent and he's in with a chance of second or third. Where will he end up? Third, ahead of Hamilton and six-tenths down on Raikkonen.
Q1 - Raikkonen goes quickest by some margin
Hamilton the first of the top drivers to set a time but he's leapfrogged by Raikkonen by nearly a second. Vettel is third of the three to set a time but he's still half a second down on Raikkonen. Good lap by Kimi. Ericsson the best of the rest but it's very tight behind him. That Ferrari power seems to be working well here.
Q1 - 17 minutes to go
A few drivers out now. Vettel, Raikkonen and Hamilton on the softs.
Remember that with the very long lap here - the longest by distance on the calendar and traditionally by time as well - it's difficult to squeeze in a quick run. It also means that traffic shouldn't be too much of a problem in Q1. Shouldn't be...
Vandoorne in trouble...
Not a good weekend for McLaren so far. In final practice they propped up the rest of the field, with Alonso 19th and Vandoorne 20th. Their high drag car does not work well around here and they will most likely attempt to give each other a tow along the straights. Alonso, of course, is on his way out by his own choice but if Stoffel Vandoorne's performances do not improve he could be out against his will...
Chance of an improvement in his home grand prix looks unlikely.
Qualifying masters of 2018
We know that the fellows in the top three teams have made it to Q3 much more often than not - though only both Ferrari drivers and Bottas have managed it at every race. Carlos Sainz has been in final qualifying in 11 of 12 of the races. Both Haas cars have made it through to Q3 for the last five races in a row. They both have a good chance of making the fourth row again here.
Did Fernando Alonso have an offer for Red Bull for next year?
Fernando Alonso has demanded a formal apology from Red Bull after he found himself strongly criticised both by Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko, the team’s long-time consultant and close confidant of owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
The Spaniard, a double world champion, insists he has received two approaches from Red Bull this year, including one just days after Daniel Ricciardo’s controversial exit for Renault.
What's happened with Force India? Now officially Racing Point Force India
Have a look here for a more detailed account of what has transpired in recent weeks. Great news that they survive, in any case.
Oliver Brown: Lance Stroll's promotion shows that the driver merry-go-round is not a meritocracy
On matters of meritocracy, Formula One likes to talk a good game. Ross Brawn, desperate for F1 to cement its status as the pinnacle of motorsport, said this year: “As you move down the field, people are getting drives as much for commercial reasons as for their ability.” There is more than one candidate who fits that description: Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson, heavily backed by Swedish corporate money, took 84 races to reach 11 points, the same total as team-mate Charles Leclerc has managed in eight. And now comes Lance Stroll, who stands poised to join Force India in a matter of days, purely because the team happens to be part-owned by his father.
Remember this? Perhaps the worst start in F1 history?
20 years ago this was at this very track. I remember rushing back from my Sunday round of golf to get to the start of this, which I managed. Just about. I sat with my jaw agape for almost the whole race. Or something like that. I went a little bit mad when Damon Hill emerged through the spray and debris to take his 22nd and final F1 win.
Not sure they'd start a race in those conditions these days. Actually, I am sure. They wouldn't.
A new British name takes to the track in F1
With Fernando Alonso announcing that he will not drive in F1 next year, McLaren have started taking steps to assess possible drivers to line up alongside the newly-signed Carlos Sainz for 2019. Their reserve and junior driver - and the man currently second in the F2 championship - Lando Norris took Alonso car for a spin in first practice yesterday and finished 18th and ahead of team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne.
Vandoorne is currently fighting for his seat next year and it looks doubtful if he will retain it. Indeed he may be replaced by Norris. Or Esteban Ocon. Norris has tested for McLaren before but has never driven as part of an F1 race weekend. It was a decent first outing by the teenager, who may be the next British driver to enter F1.
Constructor standings after 12 rounds
- Mercedes - 345
- Ferrari - 335
- Red Bull - 223
- Renault - 82
- Haas - 66
- McLaren - 52
- Toro Rosso - 28
- Sauber - 18
- Williams - 4
- Racing Point Force India - 0*
*All points earned by the previous Force India team lost - Racing Point Force India to start anew in constuctors' standings on zero points.
Hello, good afternoon and welcome back to Formula One!
It's the Belgian Grand Prix and we are very pleased to be back with you after the summer break. What a great track to be back at. One of the best on the calendar for many reasons. Its history, the layout, incredible corners, speed and the fantastic setting in the Ardennes.
Since we left you last an awful lot has changed in the driver market. Daniel Ricciardo will move to Renault in 2019, Carlos Sainz will go to McLaren and Pierre Gasly is off to Red Bull next year to partner Max Verstappen. Oh, and there's the small matter of Fernando Alonso announcing that he will not race in F1 next year - and possibly never again.
Force India - who were placed into administration last month - have been bought out by a consortium led by Lance Stroll's billionaire father Lawrence, are now officially renamed Racing Point Force India and have lost all of their constructor points in 2018, being in effect a new entry. Drivers Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, however, keep their drivers' championship points.
In the championship, Sebastian Vettel trails Lewis Hamilton by 24 points with nine races to go and Mercedes are ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' championship by a handful of points. There has been very little between them all season and in the first three practice sessions at Spa there has been little to choose between them again. We are now entering the business end of the season where mistakes matter more.
Ferrari look to have a slight edge at the moment, though. Vettel was quickest in final practice (and first practice yesterday) and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was quickest in second practice on Friday. In final practice this morning there was just six hundredths of a second between the two Ferraris, with Hamilton a further tenth or so back from the leader.
Valtteri Bottas was 0.8s down from top spot in fourth but that is fairly immaterial as he will start from the back of the grid following an engine change. This will not help Hamilton strategically but if he puts it on pole and leads into the first corner then it's not so bad.
There was a late drama in the Saturday morning session involving Bottas, though, as Stoffel Vandoorne attempted to overtake the Mercedes driver on the Kemmel straight. Vandoorne was squeezed by Bottas, who didn't appear to see the Belgian in his mirrors, and ran onto the grass, spinning at high speed and tapping the barriers. It was a fairly low-speed collision in the end but it could have been much worse.
Anyway! First qualifying starts in around an hour and I'll be with you for the build-up to that, the live updates once it begins and then the reaction. The mantra of the 2018 F1 season: it's going to be close. Let's see who can gain the advantage on the first qualifying back after the summer break.