McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has been impressive in his rookie season (Photo: Getty)
Oscar Piastri was left frustrated after he was pipped to pole for the Belgium Sprint race by Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver will start the Sprint at Spa-Francorchamps from pole after out-qualifying Piastri by just 0.011 seconds, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz just 0.014 seconds further back.
Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris will line up fifth, with the Mercedes’ of Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell an underwhelming seventh and tenth in what was a tricky session in changing conditions.
The Sprint was due to start at 3:30pm BST on Saturday, but has been delayed by 45 minutes because of the impact of the heavy rain at the circuit.
Rookie Piastri has impressed in recent races thanks to McLaren’s radical upturn in form, finishing fourth at Silverstone and Hungary with his latest performance underlining just how exciting a prospect the 22-year-old is.
He was however disappointed to narrowly miss out on pole though, swearing on the team radio after being told how close the gap was to Verstappen.
‘I’m mostly very happy of course, but when you cross the line and I saw myself in P1 and then I got the call I was P2 it’s a bit frustrating, especially when it’s by 11 thousandths,’ the Australian later told Sky Sports.
Max Verstappen will start the Sprint race from pole (Photo: Getty)
‘I did a really good lap and couldn’t have got much more out of that. I’m super happy to be on the front row.’
In similar conditions on Friday, Verstappen also qualified quickest for the main grand prix on Sunday but will start sixth following a penalty for a gearbox change, with Charles Leclerc on pole.
‘Yeah it was pretty difficult. It was similar to yesterday,’ the championship leader said.
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‘I think we stayed calm, the gap was not as big as yesterday, but there was also no need to risk it all. My second sector was a bit careful but I am still on pole so that is what counts.
‘It was getting better and better but Turn 8 and Turn 9 it was still super slippery so some time left on the table there. But is it OK, it is good to have a clean end to qualifying.
‘I will try to have a good start to have clean, clear vision. That is going to be important if it is wet.’
MORE : Charles Leclerc on pole for Belgian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen penalty
MORE : Lando Norris finally apologises for breaking Max Verstappen’s trophy
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Max Verstappen pipped Piastri to pole by just 0.011s.
