Image Credentials: Image Title: 2025 Belgian Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying Results: Lando Norris Tops SQ2 at Spa-Francorchamps Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: July 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt); it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Motorsport F1 Staff with Agencies
The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix Sprint weekend got off to a high-paced start with the Sprint qualifying session at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. As the first of two qualifying sessions for this action-packed sprint weekend, the session delivered a thrilling spectacle, with several drivers pushing their limits to secure a good position for the upcoming race.
McLaren Leads the Charge in SQ2
Both McLaren drivers were quick off the mark, hitting the track before most of the other contenders to set early times. Oscar Piastri posted the fastest time of the session initially but was soon frustrated when his lap was deleted due to track limits at Turn 4. This mistake cost him any chance of a strong result, leaving him without a counted lap in SQ2.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s dominant force, soon took over at the top of the standings, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc hot on his heels, slotting into second. However, as the session progressed, McLaren’s Lando Norris found extra pace, regaining the top spot with a superb lap.
Top 10 Finishers of SQ2:
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Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:41.412
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.171
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.374
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Esteban Ocon (Haas) – +0.389
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Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – +0.489
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +0.537
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Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +0.607
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Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.639
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Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +0.676
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.716
Drivers Knocked Out in SQ2:
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Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +0.757
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Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +0.772
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George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.918
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Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +1.041
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Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +1.420
While Norris’ incredible lap time of 1:41.412 was enough to secure the top position, the session saw fierce competition, particularly with Verstappen and Leclerc both within a few tenths of the McLaren driver. Verstappen, despite being narrowly edged out by Norris, is expected to remain a key contender for the weekend as he continues his push for the championship.
SQ2 Cutoff: A Shock for Several Big Names
Several well-known names were surprisingly knocked out in SQ2, unable to make it to the final qualifying session. The biggest shock came from Mercedes, with George Russell finishing down in 13th place, +0.918 seconds behind the leader. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll also failed to make it through, finishing in 14th and 15th, respectively, marking a disappointing session for the team.
The other drivers eliminated were Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, and Haas’ Oliver Bearman. These drivers, despite showing flashes of pace, were unable to capitalize on their potential in a highly competitive session.
Looking Ahead to the Sprint Race and Grand Prix
With Lando Norris taking the top spot in Sprint qualifying, the McLaren driver will be looking to convert this strong position into a solid result in the sprint race. However, Verstappen, Leclerc, and the other drivers will all be hoping for a strong finish as they battle it out for the important grid spots ahead of the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Sprint qualifying results are just the beginning of a weekend full of intense action. With so many competitive drivers in the mix, it promises to be another exciting chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint weekend unfolds at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps!
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