Max Verstappen quickest in Belgian GP qualifying but Carlos Sainz to start from pole

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Hamilton finished an eye-watering 1.8 seconds down on Verstappen, with team-mate Russell three tenths back.

Hamilton might have thought the plethora of grid penalties would provide him with his best shot of ending a losing streak which stretches back to the penultimate round of last season in Saudi Arabia.

But the seven-time world champion has not been in the same post code as the front-runners this weekend, with Red Bull and Ferrari holding a significant edge over the Silver Arrows.

And to make matters worse for both Hamilton and Russell, the Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso also qualified ahead of them. Ocon will also be thrown to the back of the pack for engine penalties.

After he crossed the line, Hamilton was informed he had qualified only seventh. “How far are we off?” he said.

His race engineer, Peter Bonnington replied: “1.8 seconds to Verstappen.” A disbelieving Hamilton repeated the time back.

Verstappen, the man who denied Hamilton an eight title in controversial fashion last season, has been in imperious form this year – winning eight of the 13 rounds.

And despite his penalty, the Dutchman’s speed over one lap, suggests he could yet become a major player in Sunday’s race.

Leclerc’s challenge has faltered through mistakes by man and machine. Here, the Monegasque’s blundering Ferrari team sent him out on the wrong rubber for his opening run in Q3.

“What are these tires,” said a confused Leclerc. “Sorry, it is a mistake,” came the response.

Elsewhere, the London-born Alex Albon continues to impress. He hauled his Williams into Q3 for the first time this year, qualifying ninth, before being bumped up to sixth on the grid.

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