F1: Norris shines and conquers pole at the Belgian GP; Bortoleto surprises in 10th

Lando Norris conquered the pole position for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, on the morning of this Saturday, July 26, 2025. The British McLaren driver set the time of 1m40s562, surpassing the championship leader, Max Verstappen, and securing the first position on the grid for Sunday’s race. The performance reinforces McLaren’s dominance in the 2025 season, with Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, securing second place. Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, completed the top-3, while the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season in F1 with Sauber, surprised by reaching the 10th position, standing out in a highly competitive grid. The qualifying was marked by tense moments, such as the controversy involving Bortoleto in Q1 and Verstappen’s absence among the first in Q3. The sprint race, held earlier, was won by Verstappen, who took advantage of the start to surpass Piastri and Norris.

The qualifying session at the Belgian circuit brought surprises and moments of high competitiveness. Norris, who had already shown consistent pace throughout the weekend, confirmed McLaren’s strength by leading the table at crucial moments. The track, known for its challenging corners like Eau Rouge and Raidillon, demanded precision from the drivers, especially with the variable weather conditions that marked Saturday. Bortoleto’s performance, in turn, put Brazil in the spotlight, with the young driver overcoming adversities to secure a spot in the points zone.

• Main highlights of the qualifying:
• Norris set the best time with 1m40s562.
• Piastri was 0.08s behind his teammate, securing McLaren’s one-two.
• Bortoleto advanced to Q3, a remarkable feat for a rookie.
• Verstappen, despite being strong in the sprint, couldn’t fight for pole in Q3.

Norris and Bortoleto’s performance reignited fans’ enthusiasm for the main race, scheduled for Sunday, at 10am, with broadcast on Band and F1TV. The expectation now is for the battle between McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari, while the Brazilian rookie seeks to consolidate his rise in the category.

McLaren’s dominance in Spa

McLaren arrived at the Belgian GP with a car well-suited to the circuit’s demands, which combines high-speed sectors with technical corners. Lando Norris, who had already shown strong pace in free practice, took advantage of the team’s strategy to set the fastest time in Q3. The lap of 1m40s562 was enough to surpass Oscar Piastri, who was just 0.08s behind his teammate, consolidating the British team’s one-two. The performance reflects McLaren’s development work, which has stood out in the 2025 season with consistent car updates.

In addition to track strength, the team also demonstrated efficiency in tire management, using soft compounds to maximize performance on fast laps. Norris’s leadership in qualifying came after a complicated start in the first sector, where the Brit faced difficulties, but managed to compensate with aggressive driving in the final sections. Piastri, in turn, maintained consistency, reinforcing the internal competitiveness within the team.

Here's how our drivers will line-up for Sunday's race 👀#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/PmsCuLhAdY

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2025

Brazilian surprise with Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season with Sauber, was one of the big highlights of the qualifying. The Brazilian driver faced challenges in Q1, including a controversy that nearly eliminated him early. However, with a solid lap, he advanced to Q2 and, subsequently, to Q3, securing the 10th position on the grid. The result is significant, considering the competitiveness of the midfield and the pressure on rookies in F1.

Bortoleto’s trajectory in Spa shows his quick adaptation to the category. Despite a deleted lap in Q3 for exceeding track limits at turn 10, the Brazilian managed to stay in the points zone, surpassing experienced drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, eliminated in Q1. The performance positions Bortoleto as a promise for Sunday’s race, where he will have the chance to score important points for Sauber.

Verstappen and the sprint race

Earlier, in the sprint race, Max Verstappen demonstrated why he is the championship leader. The Red Bull Dutchman had a good start and took advantage of the slipstream on the first lap to overtake Oscar Piastri, who started on pole for the sprint. Verstappen maintained the lead until the end, even under pressure from Piastri and Norris, who finished second and third, respectively. The race, shorter than the main one, served as a strategic test for the teams, especially in tire and battery management.

• Key moments of the sprint:
• Verstappen took the lead on the first lap, using the slipstream.
• Norris recovered third position on the fourth lap, overtaking Leclerc.
• Bortoleto defended ninth place well, resisting pressure from Liam Lawson.
• Pierre Gasly, two laps behind, used the sprint as a test for car adjustments.

Verstappen’s victory in the sprint reinforces his strength in Spa, but his absence at the top of Q3 was surprising. The Dutchman, who set 1m40s951 in Q2, couldn’t repeat the pace in the final phase of qualifying, finishing behind Norris, Piastri, and Leclerc.

Challenges in Q1 and unexpected eliminations

The first phase of qualifying was marked by incidents and surprising eliminations. Nico Hulkenberg, from Haas, faced problems even before entering the track, needing to change the front wing after a touch with Lance Stroll in the pits. The first fast laps were dominated by McLaren, with Piastri taking temporary leadership, closely followed by Norris.

Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, also stood out in Q1, setting 1m41s635 and taking the lead at a moment of intense position changes. However, drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Antonelli faced difficulties and were eliminated early. Hamilton had a lap deleted, which compromised his continuation, while Bortoleto escaped elimination by a narrow margin, securing 15th place and advancing to Q2.

Divergent strategies in Q2

In the second phase, teams adopted different approaches. Red Bull, with Verstappen, opted for a conservative strategy, keeping the Dutchman in the pits at key moments, while McLaren sent Norris and Piastri to the track with soft tires, seeking fast times. Bortoleto, in turn, shone by setting the seventh best time, securing his spot in Q3.

Sauber, the Brazilian’s team, faced difficulties with Hulkenberg, who stayed out of the qualifying zone. Other drivers eliminated in Q2 included Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman, and Carlos Sainz, who couldn’t keep up with the leaders’ pace. The phase highlighted the importance of fine car adjustments and the correct tire choice to face Spa’s conditions.

Q3 and grid definition

The final phase of qualifying brought an exciting conclusion. Norris took the lead with an impeccable lap, while Piastri secured second place, consolidating McLaren’s one-two. Leclerc, despite a good time, was 0.7s behind Verstappen, who couldn’t repeat the sprint’s performance. George Russell, from Mercedes, had a discreet participation in Q3, finishing fifth, overtaken by Alex Albon, from Williams, in the final seconds.

Bortoleto, even with the deleted lap, secured 10th place, an expressive result for a rookie. Verstappen’s absence at the top of the grid opened room for speculation about Red Bull’s strategy for Sunday’s race, especially on a circuit where overtakes are possible but require precision.

Expectations for the main race

Sunday’s race promises to be a spectacle, with McLaren starting in front and Verstappen seeking recovery from fourth position. The Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, with its 7 km length, is known for unpredictable races, especially if weather conditions change. Norris and Piastri will have the pole advantage, but Red Bull and Ferrari, with Leclerc, should press from the start.

For Bortoleto, the 10th position is a golden opportunity to score points. The Brazilian, who has already shown skill in position defense during the sprint, will have to deal with experienced drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar, who start ahead of him. Sauber, although not among the top teams, can benefit from eventual incidents in the front pack to achieve an expressive result.

Curiosities from the weekend in Spa

The Belgian GP is one of the most awaited stages on the F1 calendar, and the 2025 weekend did not disappoint. In addition to Norris and Bortoleto’s performance, other moments caught attention:

• Hulkenberg’s wing change before Q1 highlighted logistical challenges in the pits.
• Hamilton’s elimination in Q1 was one of the biggest surprises, considering his experience.
• The Spa track, with its iconic corners, continues to be a definitive test for drivers and teams.
• The sprint race served as a laboratory for adjustments, especially for mid-grid teams.

Schedule and how to follow

The main race of the Belgian GP is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 10am (Brasília time), with live broadcast on Band and the F1TV platform. Bandsports also showed free practice and qualifying, offering complete coverage of the weekend. For fans, the stage promises excitement, with the rivalry between McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari at its peak and cheering for Bortoleto’s performance.

Strength of the teams in 2025

The 2025 season has shown greater balance among the top teams. McLaren, with Norris and Piastri, has established itself as a dominant force, while Red Bull, led by Verstappen, maintains its consistency. Ferrari, with Leclerc, seeks to recover ground, while Sauber, with Bortoleto, tries to establish itself in the midfield. Williams, with Albon in fourth on the grid, also showed evolution, promising fierce disputes in the race.

The performance in Spa reflects the teams’ technical improvements, with emphasis on aerodynamics and tire management, crucial on such a demanding circuit. McLaren, in particular, seems to have found the ideal balance, while Red Bull bets on strategy to recover ground in the main race.