FIA give Max Verstappen BOOST with Belgian GP qualifying announcement

Max Verstappen after his win in Hungary — Photo: © LAT Images

Belgian Grand Prix

FIA give Verstappen BOOST with Belgian GP qualifying announcement

Rain has disrupted the running at Spa-Francorchamps already

Chris Deeley Editor

Experienced sports writer covering F1 and other motorsports since 2023

Friday 28 July 2023 15:27

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If qualifying can't be held on Friday at the Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA have ruled that the grid will be set in championship order.

The decision was made to avoid FP1 becoming a 'competitive session', which would somewhat negate the safety consideration of not holding the qualifying session.

That ruling will be music to the ears of Sergio Perez, whose qualifying woes have been well documented. The Mexican still sits second in the championship standings behind his team-mate Max Verstappen, and would start on pole thanks to Verstappen's impending grid penalty.

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Winners and losers

It would also be a boost for Fernando Alonso, who remains third in the standings thanks to a fantastic start to the season – despite his Aston Martin falling off somewhat in recent races.

On the flip side, the recently lightning-fast McLarens would start just eighth and 11th, a big blow for the team who have boasted the second fastest car on the grid in the last two races.

The practice session was red flagged after half an hour of intermittent running, thanks to Logan Sargeant hitting the barriers at the Les Combes chicane.