27/08/2016
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 31 degrees C, whilst the track temperatures is 41 degrees.
Having set the pace in FP2 yesterday, it was back down to earth for Max Verstappen this morning as the youngster was sidelined by a suspected electrical issue which meant he didn't post a time.
While the question mark of a component change, and subsequent penalty, hangs over the youngster, the fact that his crew have been working frantically through the break doesn't help raise the spirit. All of which is bad news for the thousands and thousands of Dutch and Belgian fans that have come to support him.
Along the pitlane the Mercedes crew have been working just as hard on Lewis Hamilton's car, the Briton having already incurred a 55-place grid drop due to the various engine and component changes.
Indeed, following this morning's session, the only driver who appears relatively calm is pace-setter Kimi Raikkonen, the Iceman. Then again, this is his favourite track and he has enjoyed much success here.
The high temperatures, very unusual for Spa, have created their own problem, for team that have gone aggressive on tyre choice are now regretting the move, some driver complaining that the supersofts don't last a lap. There is also unease at the high tyre pressures recommended by Pirelli.
Until this morning's problems it was looking good for Red Bull but now Ferrari is looking better, then again the Italian team has placed a lot of faith in the supersoft.
Ignoring Hamilton - who should be the man to watch tomorrow - Nico Rosberg hasn't really shown his hand yet. Leaving it until the last minutes to put on the supersofts the German could only manage seventh this morning.
Having disappointed yesterday, Williams looked stronger this morning, both driver in the top eight, whilst Force India has to be the favourite for pulling off a major surprise this weekend.
Doomed to start at the very back, alongside former teammate Fernando Alonso, who incurred a similarly massive grid penalty following an engine change, Hamilton is unlikely to play much of a part this afternoon, preferring to save his car and tyres for tomorrow.
As ever, the FIA is cracking down on track limits, and a sensor at Raidillon, which has already caught out a number of drivers, looks set to play a significant role this afternoon and tomorrow.
Talking of the FIA, Esteban Gutierrez has been handed a 5-place penalty following a serious incident this morning which saw Pascal Wehrlein forced off track just after Eau Rouge.
The lights go green and the Haas duo leads the way, followed by Wehrlein.
Ocon, participating in his first F1 qualifying session, is another early riser.
Ocon is on the medium rubber, while most others are already on supersofts. Rosberg is on soft.
Grosjean posts 49.519 but this is quickly beaten by his Haas teammate (49.291).
Ericsson, who got virtually no running in FP3, goes third with a 49.665.
As Nasr splits the Haas', a cheer goes up around the track as Verstappen heads down the pitlane. He's on supersofts.
A 48.968 sees Wehrlein go quickest but he is instantly demoted by Rosberg, on softs, who posts 48.019.
Nasr's time is deleted after the Brazilian exceeded the track limits at T4 (Raidillon).
As Magnussen runs wide at T4, Verstappen is warned of Nasr's punishment.
Raikkonen goes quickest with a 47.912 only to be leapfrogged by his Ferrari teammate (47.802) moments later.
Sure enough, Magnussen's time is deleted, a warning to all.
As the Force India duo go fourth (Hulkenberg) and fifth, Hamilton posts 50.033 to go 18th... of 18.
Verstappen's first flying lap sees the Red Bull driver post 48.407 to go sixth, not bad considering he had no significant running earlier.
Bad news for Alonso, the Spaniard has pulled off track just after Eau Rouge. His car is pushed to safety. Then again, the McLaren driver was going to start from the back of the grid anyway.
Ricciardo goes seventh with a 48.407, exactly the same time as his teammate, as Ron Dennis watches Alonso climb from his stricken car.
While most have settled for their times, as Magnussen and Nasr head out to post legal times, they are followed by the Haas duo, Wehrlein, Massa, Button and quite a few others.
His job done, Hamilton climbs from his car.
Of the ten cars on track, Sainz is the last to cross the line before the chequered flag. It's do or die.
Massa goes quickest in S1 as Palmer goes 11th overall.
The timing sheet goes crazy as some driers improve and others are demoted.
As Massa goes quickest of all (47.378), Nasr is demoted into the drop zone, whilst Sainz makes it through by the skin of his teeth, unlike his hapless teammate.
Quickest is Massa, ahead of Vettel, Raikkonen, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Perez, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Wehrlein and Bottas.
We lose Nasr, Ocon, Kvyat, Ericsson, Hamilton and Alonso.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Spa, here.
The green light signals the start of Q2 and Wehrlein gets proceedings underway.
Rosberg is among the early birds, the German still sporting the yellow-banded softs.
Wehrlein returns to the pits having not set a time. "It feels like my tyre is loose," he says.
The Ferraris and Red Bulls head out, like Rosberg, shod with the soft rubber. Though Verstappen has gone for supersofts.
Rosberg posts the first time of Q2, the German crossing the line at 46.999.
Button goes second (49.213) but is instantly demoted by Gutierrez (47.485).
Hulkenberg goes second and Perez third, both on the softs, while supersoft shod Raikkonen can only manage fourth (47.664).
Verstappen (supers) goes second (47.163) and Vettel (softs) sixth (47.944), thereby demoting Ricciardo (48.027) to seventh.
With 4:44 remaining, Massa, Bottas, Wehrlein and Sainz have yet to post times, though both Williams are on track.
As the Williams pair begin the flying laps, Wehrlein heads out, but not Sainz. Raikkonen and Vettel are back on track, now on supersofts.
Massa goes sixth (47.667) and Massa seventh (47.918) as Sainz finally heads out.
Ricciardo, currently ninth, opts not to run again. A big gamble from the Australian and his team.
Lots of PBs, which could mean bad news for Ricciardo.
Vettel goes quickest in S1 as Button crosses the line at 48.051 to take tenth.
Despite the PBs in various sectors there are no significant improvements, certainly in terms of position.
Both Ferrari drivers back off, knowing the job is done and they can still start on the softs.
Memo to all, never play Poker with Daniel Ricciardo.
Quickest was Rosberg, ahead of Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Raikkonen, Massa, Bottas, Vettel, Ricciardo and Button.
We lose Grosjean, Magnussen, Gutierrez, Palmer, Sainz and Wehrlein.
The lights go green and in no time at all, all bar Massa and Button are on track. All are on the red-banded rubber.
Raikkonen is quickest in S1 while Bottas is strong in S2. Rosberg setting a good pace also.
Bottas posts 47.612 to go quickest as Perez is looking good. Indeed, the Mexican crosses the line at 47.481.
Hulkenberg makes it a Force India 1-2 as Raikkonen heads into the pits after a mistake at Stavelot.
No sooner has Vettel gone quickest (47.296), than his is demoted by Verstappen (46.893) and then Rosberg (46.744).
A disappointing lap from Ricciardo who can only manage seventh (47.759).
With 4:40 remaining, Massa heads out. Unfortunately, he gets it wrong at La Source as he begins his sole flying lap.
One by one they head out for the final assault.
Massa can only manage eighth (48.263), though that is sure to be under threat. The Brazilian apologies for his poor effort.
PBs from Ricciardo as Button posts 48.114 to go 8th.
Ricciardo posts 47.216 to go third as most fail to improve, including Rosberg, who, nonetheless, appears to have pole.
Raikkonen posts 46.910 to go third, with teammate Vettel taking fourth (47.108) moments later.
So, Rosberg take pole for tomorrow's race, ahead of Verstappen, Raikkonen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Perez, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Button and Massa.
Grosjean will start eleventh, ahead of Magnussen, Gutierrez, Palmer, Sainz, Wehrlein, Nasr, Ocon, Kvyat, Ericsson, Hamilton and Alonso.
Of course, overnight and tomorrow, all eyes will be on the skies and what the weather gods have in store for us. Currently it is predicted to be hot, but as we know that can change.
Verstappen starts from the front row of a Grand Prix for the first time, but he is starting on the supersofts unlike those around him who are on the more durable softs.
And then there's Kimi... not to mention what Hamilton and Alonso can do from the back row.
Should be a good 'un.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Spa, here.