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Carlos Sainz will start from pole on the Belgian Grand Prix regardless of not setting the quickest time in qualifying, after a slew of engine and gearbox penalties for drivers arrange a wildly blended up grid for Sunday’s race.
In a bizarre quirk of F1’s guidelines, it means no driver is beginning Sunday’s race from the place they certified.
The combination up is as a result of quantity of engine elements allowed for drivers earlier than penalties are incurred — the character of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit makes it a really perfect place to make a tactical engine change as there are many overtaking alternatives to permit recoveries from lowly grid positions.
The seven drivers who took engine and gearbox penalties will hope to make the top of the season while not having to take one other.
Championship chief and reigning champion Max Verstappen and title rival Charles Leclerc begin on the rear finish of the grid for that reason.
Six of these seven begin from the again and their positions had been all dictated by their closing qualifying place. Nevertheless, Alfa Romeo made use of a loophole within the laws to suit Valtteri Bottas with a brand new energy unit and a gearbox with out incurring a “again of grid” penalty (defined under).
Beginning order (and the place they certified):
FRONT ROW
1. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) Certified 2nd
2. Sergio Perez (Pink Bull) Certified 4th
SECOND ROW
3. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) Certified sixth
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) Certified seventh
THIRD ROW
5. George Russell (Mercedes) Certified eighth
6. Alex Albon (Williams) Certified ninth
FOURTH ROW
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) Certified eleventh
8. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) Certified twelfth
FIFTH ROW
9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Certified 14th
10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Certified sixteenth
SIXTH ROW
11. Nicholas Latifi (Williams), Certified seventeenth
12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Certified 18th
SEVENTH ROW
13. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), Certified nineteenth
14. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) Certified twentieth *Penalty
Though Bottas’ whole penalty equated to twenty locations on the grid — which might usually be a “again of grid” penalty — as a result of Alfa Romeo unfold the penalties with 15 locations for the facility unit and 5 for the gearbox, moderately than making 20 locations value of modifications in a single penalty, he technically has a 20-place penalty moderately than a “again of grid” penalty.
In consequence, his 20-place penalty means he begins forward of drivers with a “again of grid” penalty.The FIA intends to shut the loophole for future races.
EIGHTH ROW
15. Max Verstappen (Pink Bull), Certified 1st *Penalty
16. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Certified 2nd *Penalty
NINTH ROW
17. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Certified fifth *Penalty
18. Lando Norris (McLaren) Certified tenth *Penalty
TENTH ROW
19. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo), Certified thirteenth *Penalty
20. Mick Schumacher (Haas), Certified fifteenth *Penalty
The blended up grid ought to create an exhilarating occasion, with a Ferrari and Pink Bull sharing the entrance row and previous rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton sharing the second row.
Mercedes has lacked tempo this weekend however will fancy its possibilities of taking benefit from its two drivers being shuffled just a few positions up the order, whereas Alonso will look to assault from third on the grid.
Alex Albon will begin from sixth place after a really spectacular qualifying efficiency
Daniel Ricciardo did not make it via to Q3 however he’ll begin from seventh place simply days after McLaren confirmed he won’t stick with the crew subsequent yr.
The Australian driver might be fired as much as show McLaren flawed with a robust efficiency.
Ricciardo’s teammate Lando Norris may also be one to observe from the again finish of the sector after exhibiting sturdy kind all through follow.