Lando Takes Pole, McLaren Locks Out the Front Row
Lando Norris snatched pole position at Spa-Francorchamps, claiming his 13th career pole and first at this legendary circuit. What’s even more remarkable? All 13 of Lando’s poles have come at different tracks. While it sounds wild at first glance, it makes sense once you realize the McLaren only became a regular pole contender in the second half of 2024. So far this season, there hasn’t been much opportunity to repeat. But with Hungary next week, where he took pole in 2024, that streak might finally end.
Some thought Oscar Piastri would grab this one based on his dominant pace through free practice and Sprint Qualifying, but Lando turned it up in Q3, edging his teammate and capitalizing on Spa’s evolution-heavy surface. While Lando’s Q3 lap didn’t improve on his second run, he was still calm and confident in the post-session interview:
“I’ve changed. I’m happy with pole.”
A short response, but a powerful one. After years of interviews dissecting his every word, Lando’s no longer giving the media more than what they deserve. And good on him. He’s grown into a driver who knows when to speak and when to just let the stopwatch talk.
Media Games and Mental Shifts
The tone of the post-qualifying interviews felt off. One exchange practically begged for self-deprecation:
“Are you happy with pole or…? Because I know you now.”
This kind of baiting line reflects a bigger issue: media narrative-chasing. Lando used to be open, honest, even hard on himself. But that vulnerability was turned against him. What we see now is a more emotionally armored version. He hasn’t become a PR bot, but he’s protecting himself.
And fans have noticed. The shift began around Canada, and it’s paying off. He looks mentally sharper, more focused, and it shows in the results. Three wins so far, and Hungary might just make it four.
McLaren Mastery and the Field Spread
McLaren continues to impress, not by blowing everyone away with raw pace, but with consistency, adaptability, and clean execution. The car isn’t miles ahead of Red Bull, Ferrari, or Mercedes in terms of outright speed, but it’s significantly more predictable to drive. It handles clean air like a dream, and in qualifying trim, that matters.
That predictability allows both Lando and Piastri to push the limit while other top teams wrestle with tire degradation or unpredictable setups. And it shows. McLaren now has two high-performing drivers executing at a high level, while most rivals only have one delivering consistently.
The field itself is incredibly tight. Just look at the spread:
- Pole: Norris (1:40.562)
- 20th: Stroll (1:42.502)
That’s just under 2 seconds across the entire grid at the longest circuit of the year. While some argue this proves the field is too close under current regulations, that 2-second gap at Spa is arguably equivalent to 1-1.5 seconds on a standard track. In any case, it’s a testament to how cost caps and converging development philosophies have compressed performance margins.
Red Bull Academy Shines Again
All four Red Bull-backed drivers made it to Q3 for the first time since Singapore 2022, and the Baby Bulls fanbase is thriving. Isack Hadjar has emerged as the most exciting rookie from the junior program since the 2015 class.
The development pipeline continues to impress. Between Hadjar, Lawson, and even shoutouts to future stars like Lindblad and Tsolov, the Red Bull junior ecosystem feels alive again. As for their Q3 achievement, it underscores how competitive VCARB and RB are right now—even without a seasoned veteran like Yuki Tsunoda in a “senior” leadership role.
Kimi Antonelli: Talent vs. Timing
The most emotional moment came from Kimi Antonelli. After a double Q1/SQ1 elimination, the 18-year-old Mercedes rookie was in tears in the media pen. He tried to brush it off: “Yeah, I’m okay,” but it was obvious he wasn’t.
He’s immensely talented, but the pressure is brutal. He didn’t get time to grow in F2. He didn’t get a midfield seat to learn the ropes. He was thrown into the fire. And now, with Max Verstappen-Mercedes rumors swirling, he’s not just racing, he’s auditioning.
It’s hard not to feel for him. Verstappen had a year at Toro Rosso. Hamilton had five years in junior formula. Antonelli’s still trying to find his feet while driving for a top team.
The raw data isn’t kind either: a 29-2 record in competitive sessions against George Russell, with an average pace deficit of 0.4 seconds. That gap is growing, and it’s not just affecting the Constructors’ Championship fight, it’s eating away at Kimi’s confidence.
Toto Wolff might be forced to make a difficult call. If Mercedes can’t develop a car that supports both drivers equally, they risk wasting one of the most hyped junior careers in years. It’s hard to imagine Mercedes pulling the plug, but with Alpine, Haas, and even Ferrari-linked teams in the mix, Kimi’s future isn’t as secure as it once looked.
Bonus Moments
- Lando’s facial hair discourse: Fans noticed he looked 5 years younger without his goatee. That version? His evil twin, “Nondo Larris.”
- George Russell drops into Albon’s media zone: Former teammates joking and breaking down laps on Williams’ IG. Fans loved the relaxed, non-PR vibe.
- Spa’s chaos factor: Rain could arrive mid-race. DRS trains loom large. Strategy could make or break the podium. If Norris and Piastri can manage the first lap cleanly, they might have their own private battle.
From pole fights to pressure cookers, this year’s Belgian GP Qualifying was anything but boring. Now we wait to see whether Lando can finally convert pole into victory—and whether Mercedes can keep their rising star from getting crushed under expectation.
The race is tomorrow. Rain is lurking. The rubber’s washed away.
Let the chaos begin.