F1 News: Belgian Grand Prix qualifying results as Lewis Hamilton secures pole
LEWIS HAMILTON pipped Sebastian Vettel to pole in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying.
Belgian Grand Prix: Vettel will start second on the grid
Hamilton is chasing down Vettel in the Drivers’ Championship and set a lap record to secure top spot on the grid.
Vettel’s Ferrari came second, meaning Sunday’s start at Spa will be hotly contested.
In securing pole, Hamilton equals Michael Schumacher’s record of 68 top spots in F1 qualifying.
Ross Brawn congratulated the Brit, who said: "I can’t believe it. I have to say a big thank you to my team. Ross was a big part of that.
"The team have done an amazing job Valtteri has done an amazing job. To put a lap together like that was a dream.
"It’s special. To hear the message Ross gave I have to say a big thank you I think and pray for Michael’s family all the time.
"I have had the privilege of racing with him. I’ve always admired him and still do. He will still be one of the greatest of all time."
Vettel said after qualifying: "The last lap the car was more alive, I was lucky with Kimi who aborted the lap and he gave me a nice tow to get on to the front row."
Lewis Hamilton has now secured 68 poles in his career
Earlier today Ferrari confirmed Vettel has extended his contract with the team.
“Ferrari announces that Scuderia Ferrari has extended its technical and racing agreement with driver Sebastian Vettel for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 racing seasons of the Formula One World Championship,” the statement read.
Vettel then went out onto the Spa track seeking to secure pole position for Sunday’s race.
However, he comes up against a Mercedes duo in Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas keen to kick on after the summer recess.
Check out all the qualifying results below…
Lewis Hamilton will start on pole at the Belgian Grand Prix
BELGIAN GRAND PRIX Q3 RESULTS
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:42.553
2. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1:42.795
3. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Mercedes 1:43.094
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:43.270
5. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 1:43.380
6. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 1:43.863
7. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Renault 1:44.982
8. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - Mercedes 1:45.244
9. Esteban Ocon (France) Force India - Mercedes 1:45.369
10. Jolyon Palmer (Britain) Renault
Lewis Hamilton slows down to return position to Bottas
BELGIAN GRAND PRIX Q2 RESULTS
11. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 1:45.090
12. Romain Grosjean (France) Haas - Ferrari 1:45.133
13. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) Haas - Ferrari 1:45.400
14. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso - Renault 1:45.439
15. Stoffel Vandoorne (Belgium) McLaren
BELGIAN GRAND PRIX Q1 RESULTS
16. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 1:45.823
17. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) Toro Rosso - Renault 1:46.028
18. Lance Stroll (Canada) Williams-Mercedes 1:46.915
19. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - Ferrari 1:47.214
20. Pascal Wehrlein (Germany) Sauber - Ferrari 1:47.679