Belgian GP sprint qualifying results: Piastri takes pole as Hamilton suffers nightmare

Oscar Piastri was untouchable in sprint qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, storming to pole position by over four tenths of a second ahead of Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in SQ1, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli also didn't make it into the top 10.

When the green light went out at the end of the pit lane for the start of the sprint shootout, there was some concern regarding the status of Verstappen's Red Bull as mechanics swarmed around the rear-right of his RB21. Fortunately, the reigning world champion was able to make it out and was immediately on the pace.

There was no such luck for Hamilton, who had a moment on his first lap, and then spun at the final chicane on his critical last run. That incident also sent Kimi Antonelli out, with the teenager at the bottom of the order after a scuppered first attempt.

The drama continued in SQ2 as track evolution caused havoc among the grid's heavy-hitters. George Russell joined team-mate Antonelli on the sidelines after Norris' last-gasp effort sealed his fate. He ended the session 13th, only ahead of the two Aston Martin drivers.

Championship leader Piastri was fortunate to make it through. His first lap was deleted for a track-limit violation, and his second lap, set before the majority of the field had laid down a representative time, was bumped down to tenth by the time all cars had completed their runs.

Norris was the first driver to put down a marker in SQ3, but his effort was quickly eclipsed by Verstappen, who was gaining time on the McLaren cars in the first and final sectors. There was no stopping Piastri, though, as the championship leader marched to his first sprint pole of the season in a commanding fashion.

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Belgian Grand Prix sprint qualifying results

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

6. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

7. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

12. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

13. George Russell (Mercedes)

14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

16. Alex Albon (Williams)

17. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

18. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

19. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

20. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)