Norris takes pole for F1's Belgian Grand Prix after Verstappen wins sprint
Norris set the fastest time early in the final session. His McLaren teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri couldn't quite beat it on his final run, taking second place, 0.085 of a second off Norris' pace.
Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari, with Verstappen fourth.
The likelihood of rain for Sunday's race could shake things up.
Verstappen's sprint win
Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri and drove '15 qualifying laps' to win the Formula 1 sprint race at the Belgian GP as Red Bull begins a new era without fired team principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen surged past Piastri on the straight on the first lap. The Australian was close behind Verstappen for the rest of the 15-lap sprint race but couldn't find a way past the four-time champion.
Lando Norris, in the other McLaren, was third after retaking the place from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and catching up to Piastri.
'You're keeping faster cars behind, so you have to drive over the limit of what you think is possible,' Verstappen said.
'Tire management is out of the window, so that's what's making it really difficult. I'm just doing 15 qualifying laps to try and keep them behind on a track where tire management is important.'
It was Verstappen's first race win of any sort since the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in May, and his first in a sprint since the United States Grand Prix last October.
Piastri extends his lead over Norris in the standings to nine points from eight. Verstappen is third, 68 points off the lead.
Leclerc held on to fourth and it was an impressive result for Haas, with Esteban Ocon fifth and Oliver Bearman seventh. Carlos Sainz, Jr. was sixth for Williams and Isack Hadjar took the final point for Racing Bulls in eighth.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea's Ishé Samuels-Smith joins Strasbourg
Strasbourg have signed England youth international left-back Ishé Samuels-Smith (19) from Chelsea, both clubs have announced. The 19-year-old has put pen to paper over a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 side. Samuel-Smith, who is also capable of playing at centre-back, has moved from Stamford Bridge to La Meinau for a fee of €7.5m, plus another €500,000 in bonuses. He was signed by Chelsea from Everton back in 2023 for a fee of €4.5m. Samuels-Smith has already linked up with his Strasbourg teammates for the Alsatians' preseason training camp in Austria. The England youth international is the third player to make the move from Chelsea to Strasbourg this summer, after Mathis Amougou (permanent) and Mike Penders (loan). Samuels-Smith is the tenth summer signing of Strasbourg this window. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who could Milan sell to fund swoop for Liverpool's Chiesa
Last week, Milan sporting director Igli Tare said that the club will only pursue a new winger if they manage to offload one of their existing players, as speculation begins to grow that the club will move for Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa. Speaking to the press, Tare said 'We plan to intervene on the wings in the event of any exits.' Reports earlier today suggested that the Rossoneri are set to meet with Chiesa's representatives this week, so who could be leaving the club? Milan's Chukwueze wanted by Fulham? Samuel Chukwueze takes a penalty during the shoot-out after the pre-season friendly between Milan and Arsenal in Singapore in July, 2025 (picture via According to reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport, via MilanNews24, Premier League club Fulham are interested in signing Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze. La Liga club Real Betis have also been linked to the Nigerian but Fulham's interest appears more concrete. Aside from Chukwueze, Swiss forward Noah Okafor is also being linked away from the Rossoneri, despite performing well in pre-season. The 25-year-old scored twice in Milan's 4-2 victory over Liverpool but the Serie A side still consider the player to be up for sale. Is Chiesa worth it for Milan? Chiesa will not be a cheap purchase, even if the club manage to offload players to help finance the move. The 27-year-old signed for Premier League champions Liverpool last summer for €12 million, just two years after his €45 million move to Juventus from Fiorentina. Liverpool's Federico Chiesa reacts during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza stadium, 17 September 2024. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI Chiesa's contract with Liverpool does not expire until 2028 and therefore the Reds hold all the cards in any potential negotiation with Milan. The player's wage demands may be higher than the Rossoneri would like to pay, considering a shift in attitude off-the-pitch has led the club to attempt more sensible financial decisions. However, price aside, Chiesa could be a valuable addition. Massimiliano Allegri has re-joined the Rossoneri this summer as head coach and his time working with Chiesa at Juventus could be decisive in convincing the player to join and allowing him to flourish if he does. Chiesa played just 104 minutes in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign for Liverpool, making most of his appearances in cup competitions.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Legendary AC Milan Coach Hails Inter Milan Decision To Keep Italy Rising Star: 'Smart Move'
ormer AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi believes Inter Milan have made the right choice by keeping hold of Francesco Pio Esposito. During his recent interview via FCInter1908, Sacchi praised Inter's decision to hand the young gun a prominent first-team role. Francesco Pio Esposito enjoyed a stunning breakout season at Spezia last term. Indeed, with 19 goals, he was the second-best goalscorer in Serie B behind Armand Lauriente. Esposito's scintillating form at Stadio Alberto Picco has drawn attention from numerous clubs in Italy and abroad. From Napoli to Manchester United, numerous top European teams had tried to sign the 20-year-old. However, new Inter boss Cristian Chivu has big plans for the prodigious striker and views him as a valuable first-team asset. Therefore, Inter have rejected all the offers for their in-demand teenager and will rely on him heavily in the 2025/26 season. Arrigo Sacchi Praises Inter Milan Decision to Keep Hold of Francesco Pio Esposito SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by) Asked what he thinks of Inter's decision about Esposito, Sacchi replied: 'I'm not sure what will happen with the young Pio Esposito, but if they keep him, it'll be a smart move. 'He has real quality. Now it's about giving the whole team a modern, attractive, and at the same time effective style of play. 'Chivu is already working on it.' Meanwhile, Sacchi offered his verdict on the club's relentless effort to sign Ademola Lookman. Indeed, Sacchi believes the Nigerian forward would be a massive coup for Inter. 'Lookman, based on what he has shown in an Atalanta shirt, is a player who can break games open,' he stated. 'He's effective on the counterattack and just as good in tight spaces.' Then, he spoke about Inter's strength in depth in the attacking department. 'And let's not forget that Chivu also has Lautaro, Marcus Thuram, and Bonny, who just arrived from Parma,' he added.
