McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance in qualifying to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix 2025, setting the fastest lap right at the start of Q3. His lap time of 1:40.562 proved unbeatable, giving the team the top spot on the grid, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri by just 0.085 seconds. Before we move into the details, here’s a closer look at the rankings.
Table of Contents
| Position | Driver | Team |
| 1 | Lando NORRIS | McLaren |
| 2 | Oscar PIASTRI | McLaren |
| 3 | Charles LECLERC | Ferrari |
| 4 | Max VERSTAPPEN | Red Bull |
| 5 | Alexander ALBON | Williams |
| 6 | George RUSSELL | Mercedes |
| 7 | Yuki TSUNODA | Red Bull |
| 8 | Isack HADJAR | Racing Bulls |
| 9 | Liam LAWSON | Racing Bulls |
| 10 | Gabriel BORTOLETO | Stake |
| 11 | Esteban OCON | Haas |
| 12 | Oliver BEARMAN | Haas |
| 13 | Pierre GASLY | Alpine |
| 14 | Nico HULKENBERG | Stake |
| 15 | Carlos SAINZ | Williams |
| 16 | Lewis HAMILTON | Ferrari |
| 17 | Franco COLAPINTO | Alpine |
| 18 | Kimi ANTONELLI | Mercedes |
| 19 | Fernando ALONSO | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Lance STROLL | Aston Martin |
Norris Sets The Benchmark Early
Norris wasted no time in Q3. The Brit laid down a blistering lap on his first run, which turned out to be enough for pole as changing track conditions and traffic prevented anyone from going quicker. This marks a crucial moment for both Norris and McLaren, who have been steadily building momentum over the past few races.
Speaking after the session, Norris said: “We nailed it on the first lap, and it all came together. It’s a great feeling to start from the front, especially at a track like Spa.”
Piastri Makes It A McLaren Front Row Lockout
Oscar Piastri also impressed, delivering a near-perfect lap to claim second place and secure McLaren’s front-row lockout. The young Australian has shown steady improvement throughout the season and came agonizingly close to his first pole.
“It was close, but I’m happy with the front row,” Piastri said. “We’ve got a strong car, and we’ll try to capitalize on that tomorrow.”
Verstappen Struggles, Leclerc Grabs P3
In a surprising twist, Max Verstappen, who had earlier won the Sprint race, could only manage fourth place on the grid. Despite being the favorite going into the session, Verstappen never looked fully comfortable and failed to challenge the McLarens.
ALSO READ: Verstappen: ‘Belgian GP Fightback Will Be Tough From P4’
Even more surprising was Charles Leclerc, who put in a fantastic lap to grab third, beating Verstappen by a narrow margin. Ferrari’s performance was a step forward compared to recent outings, and Leclerc looked genuinely pleased with the result.
Albon’s Surprise P5 Boosts Williams’ Hopes
Another standout was Alex Albon, who put in a remarkable lap to secure fifth place in the Williams. His performance shocked many in the paddock, as the team has struggled with consistency this season.
“We didn’t expect this, but the car felt great today,” said Albon. “Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going into the race.”
Disappointment For Hamilton And Antonelli
It was a day to forget for Lewis Hamilton, whose qualifying run ended in heartbreak. A deleted lap time saw the seven-time world champion eliminated in Q1, a rare and frustrating moment for the Mercedes driver.
Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli, also failed to make it past the first session. The young Italian, making one of his early appearances in F1 qualifying, struggled with grip and couldn’t find the pace needed to move forward.
Belgian GP 2025: What To Expect On Race Day?
With McLaren locking out the front row, all eyes will be on how the team handles the race strategy. Verstappen, despite starting fourth, remains a major threat given his recent dominance on Sundays. Ferrari’s Leclerc will also be aiming to spoil the party, while Albon and the Williams team will hope to convert their strong qualifying into valuable points.
This year’s Belgian GP is expected to be unpredictable and exciting, with Spa’s ever-changing weather and long straights likely to play a key role. If Norris can hold onto the lead, he could be looking at a potential career-defining victory.
Images Source: F1 Newsroom
Who took pole for the Belgian GP 2025?
McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position at Spa with a lap time of 1:40.562.
What happened to Max Verstappen in qualifying?
He could only manage P4 after struggling in Q3
Who were the surprise performers in qualifying?
Alex Albon (P5) and Charles Leclerc (P3)
