Oscar Piastri delivered an all-time great lap in Sprint Qualifying at Spa, smashing the lap record with a 1:40.510 and sealing pole position by nearly half a second over Max Verstappen. Norris slotted in third, unable to match his teammate after what looked like a costly out-lap tire warm-up. The gap between the McLaren drivers, over six-tenths, was stunning, but not altogether shocking given Piastri’s comfort and affinity for Spa. It’s a circuit that rewards confidence, and Oscar was dialed in across every sector.
Spa Dominance and the Record That Fell
What made Piastri’s lap even more impressive was that it dethroned Lewis Hamilton’s W11 benchmark from 2020. While some argued the W11 was running a wet setup that day or that resurfacing at Spa skewed the comparison, the sheer time difference, 0.742s faster, was jaw-dropping. Oscar gained the most time in Sector 2, where high-speed stability matters most, showing how well the current McLaren thrives in the floor-dominant era. Oscar Piastri’s performance wasn’t just dominant in isolation, it was consistent with the pace he’d shown all weekend. After topping FP1 ahead of both Verstappen and Norris, it confirmed that McLaren’s new floor is delivering results on both cars. This MCL39 isn’t just a title contender, it’s becoming a reference point.
While Verstappen slotted in P2, he played spoiler to what might’ve been a McLaren front-row lockout. Red Bull’s setup challenges from FP1 seemed to persist into Sprint Qualifying. Verstappen was audibly frustrated in earlier practice, complaining of poor front-end grip and drawing comparisons to “GP2 front end” performance. Yet by the time the track dried, Max had recovered enough to split the McLarens and line up P2. Max’s low-downforce setup kept him fast on the straights. The Red Bull still looked difficult through some of the corners, but Max did what he always does, extract the maximum.
Tight Margins and Team Shakeups
Sprint Qualifying wasn’t just about the front, it was chaos and heartbreak all the way through the field. Eight teams made it to SQ3, but Mercedes wasn’t one of them. Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli faltered, with Russell eliminated in SQ2 and Kimi struggling to escape the bottom in SQ1. It’s been a pattern for Mercedes this year, flashes of potential, followed by setbacks that knock them out of contention when it matters.
Over at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton endured one of his worst sessions of the season. A self-described rear lockup, the first of his career, left him P18, while Charles Leclerc salvaged P4. It’s been a choppy first year at Ferrari for Hamilton, and with the team’s inconsistent qualifying performance and unclear upgrade implementation (including questions around whether the new suspension made any difference), things aren’t getting easier. For Leclerc, P4 wasn’t bad considering Ferrari’s improved race pace, but in the context of a team trying to fight for wins, this weekend feels like another missed opportunity.
Gasly’s Surge, Alpine’s Fortunes, and the Yuki Tsunoda Show
Gasly quietly delivered again, dragging the Alpine into SQ3 and finishing P8. He’s been consistently strong this season, and with Mercedes powertrains incoming in 2026, Alpine may finally be in position to reward Pierre’s loyalty and talent. Yuki Tsunoda, though eliminated in SQ2, played the sportsman after a potential impeding investigation involving Gasly, telling the stewards it was more of a tow than a block, earning plenty of respect for the gesture.
Both drivers, however, were pulled into post-session investigations. Gasly’s case was dismissed, but Russell and Tsunoda were reprimanded for slow driving. With the FIA maintaining their usual brand of inconsistency, it was a reminder that stewarding decisions remain one of the sport’s great unsolved mysteries.
Aston Martin, Ferrari, and the Chaos Below
Aston Martin’s decision to send their drivers out first in SQ2 backfired spectacularly, leaving both Alonso and Stroll vulnerable to massive late-session track evolution. It’s become a frustrating pattern: Aston’s dry-weather strategies consistently undermine any pace they may have, and their downforce sacrifice for straight-line speed cost them dearly in Spa’s second and third sectors.
Ferrari had a “mixed” session, again, with Leclerc salvaging P4 while Hamilton languished near the back. Even the new suspension listed in their upgrade sheet didn’t seem to make a difference on track, prompting questions about whether the changes were worth the development time and cost. For Leclerc, P4 was solid, especially given Ferrari’s improved race pace compared to the qualifying-centric setups of past seasons. But for a team expected to challenge for wins, “mixed” is becoming the default, hardly a ringing endorsement.
Williams and the Rise of Carlos
Carlos Sainz once again outqualified Hamilton, this time in a Williams. Slotting into P6, he continued to impress in what’s quickly becoming a compelling redemption arc. He had previously been forced to start FP1 late due to technical issues, but his new power unit helped make a strong comeback. His turnaround echoed Spa’s wider narrative of fluctuating fortunes and razor-thin margins. And with 8 different teams reaching SQ3, a continuation of FP1’s mixed leaderboard, it’s clear the usual hierarchies are shifting at Spa. Albon couldn’t match him this time, ending up P16, and as ever with Williams, it felt like at least one driver was unlucky. Still, there’s measurable progress under Vowles, even if execution remains hit-or-miss.
Rookie Watch: Hadjar and Bortoleto Impress
Both Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto cracked the top 10 in Sprint Qualifying. Hadjar, now consistently pushing into SQ3, and Bortoleto, having a quietly excellent rookie season, are making their case as future stars. In a year full of narrative fireworks at the top, the next generation is quietly sharpening their teeth.
Setup Choices and the Bigger Picture
The contrast in setups was telling. Piastri reportedly ran a higher downforce configuration, betting on better tire management and handling through the technical sectors, while Verstappen and Norris leaned low downforce for straight-line speed. Oscar’s choice proved brilliant, especially with potential rain on the radar. He was only 5 km/h down in the speed trap but looked vastly more composed through Eau Rouge, Pouhon, and the Bus Stop.
And while the discussion about overtaking and dirty air persists, Spa still showcased the beauty of these ground effect machines, blistering through corners at 290 kph, setting records while reminding us why this track deserves a lifetime spot on the calendar. The pending switch to a bi-yearly slot feels criminal given the quality of racing and engineering we see here.
Final Grid – A Glance at Tomorrow
Top 10 for the Sprint: Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Ocon, Sainz, Bearman, Gasly, Hadjar, Bortoleto.
With Haas cooking, Piastri flying, and Verstappen lurking just behind, tomorrow’s Sprint promises fireworks. The real question isn’t whether Oscar can hold the lead, it’s how soon Verstappen gets within DRS, and whether Norris can recover from a forgettable SQ3. All eyes are on Turn 1 and the Kemmel straight, where fortunes are often made or lost.