Carlos Sainz profited from Max Verstappen's grid penalty to secure pole for the Belgian Grand Prix but admitted to being concerned by the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull.
Verstappen topped the timesheet in Saturday's delayed qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps ahead of the first race following the mid-season break.
But the reigning champion – who holds an 80-point lead over Charles Leclerc at the top of the standings – will start in 15th after being penalised for using too many engine parts.
The Dutchman is one of seven drivers taking grid penalties, along with Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Zhou Guanyu, Mick Schumacher and Valtteri Bottas.
That effectively meant the rest of field were facing off for the top 13 positions on the grid, and it was Ferrari driver Sainz who will will start Sunday's race at the head of the pack.
Whereas Verstappen looked comfortable throughout and delivered a time of 1:43.665 seconds with his first Q3 flying lap, Sainz's Q3 lap was rather scrappy.
Despite claiming pole, the Spaniard – who is fifth in the standings – was not entirely pleased with how things played out.
"I'm happy to be starting on pole, but I'm obviously not so happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap Red Bull have on us," he told Sky Sports.
"We need to keep digging to see why Red Bull are so fast around this track. But to start from pole is good and we will try to win tomorrow.
"I think our race pace is better than our qualifying pace, but there is still something to find."
The past seven winners of the Belgian Grand Prix have started from the front row of the grid, six of them from pole.
But after finishing 0.632s clear of the field in qualifying, Verstappen – last year's winner on this track – is hopeful of climbing from towards the back of the pack into the top three.
"It was an amazing qualifying but the whole weekend we have been really on it," he said. "With a car like this it would be a shame to not be on the podium.
"The car has been working really well and we have basically been trying to fine tune it and it all came together in Qualifying.
"Of course, I had to be careful with the amount of tyres I was using, but I was very happy with my lap. It is an amazing track with amazing fans and I hope they had a good day."
Verstappen is set to start one place ahead of title rival Leclerc, while team-mate Sergio Perez is second after finishing 0.165s behind Sainz.
Fernando Alonso, who is on his best run since 2018 after collecting points in each of his past eight races, is third ahead of Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
Red Bull are seeking a fifth win in Belgium – only in Mexico (six) would they have more – with Perez looking to overhaul Sainz.
"P2 is not the worst place to be around here and I think if I am able to get a good run at Carlos, it will be different and I will be on the other side of the row," Perez said.
"I am looking forward to tomorrow and I think there will be a great race ahead of us. It'll be very important to get a good start and do our own race and I think that will be the key."
Fraser McConnell's team secures Dodge sponsorship for Nitrocross season
Jamaica’s motorsport sensation, Fraser McConnell, is set to begin his third season in Nitrocross this Saturday and Sunday with exciting news—his team, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, has officially secured a sponsorship deal with Dodge.
The partnership means McConnell will race in the 1,000-plus-horsepower
Fraser McConnell, who has rapidly ascended the ranks in Nitrocross, is eager to begin this season with the backing of Dodge, a brand synonymous with power and performance.
"It’s an honour to have a powerhouse brand like Dodge come on board to support us this season. Their commitment to motorsport aligns perfectly with our team's vision for success, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together," said McConnell.
Last season, McConnell made waves in the Nitrocross circuit, capturing multiple wins and securing a second-place finish, just behind champion Robin Larsson. With victories in Phoenix and Las Vegas and a runner-up spot in Round Six, McConnell is determined to build on his previous success.
As he prepares for the Richmond race this weekend, McConnell is confident and ready to make an impact.
"This new partnership with Dodge is a huge boost for the team, and I can't wait to hit the track. Richmond is a brand new venue, which makes it an exciting challenge for everyone. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got, and with the support of Dodge, we’re ready to take on the world."
Fans can look forward to a thrilling Nitrocross season, with 10 rounds spanning five venues, including stops in Richmond, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Miami, and Las Vegas, running from September 7 through March 2. Fraser McConnell and his team, now powered by Dodge, are poised to deliver an unforgettable season filled with high-speed, adrenaline-fueled action.
Action is live on Rumble at 3:00pm Jamaica time.
Binotto: Audi role was the only Formula One job I wanted
Mattia Binotto insists the opportunity to have "full control" over Audi's Formula One venture is the only project that could have enticed him back into the sport after leaving Ferrari.
Binotto spent 18 months out of F1 after leaving his role as Ferrari team principal at the end of the 2022 season, when the Scuderia's title challenge faded in disappointing fashion.
But in July it was confirmed he would take over from Andreas Seidl as the figurehead of Audi's F1 project, with the German manufacturer set to take Sauber's place on the grid from the 2026 season onwards.
Binotto had been part of Ferrari's team since 1995, contributing to eight constructors' championship triumphs before stepping up to become team principal in 2019.
He says the Scuderia still feels like his family, but the chance to mould the Audi team in his image was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"To be back is great for me. I'm very happy with the new challenge. All my past life has been with Ferrari – 28 years is a long time," he told the Formula One website.
"I started there as a graduate – it has become my family but now that is the past. Now I'm coming back in the paddock wearing a new shirt.
"After Ferrari, I thought I would accept only a real challenge. Honestly, Audi was the only team I hoped to join, because of the challenge, because of the ambition, because it's for Audi, the very first time in F1.
"I'm lucky they called me. It had been very sudden. In a couple of days, we decided. It was simple.
"The opportunity was to be empowered for the entire project, full power – and that was what I was looking for. I'm so grateful and thankful for the offer, but very conscious how much there is to do.
"The gap is very big to be a winning team. But we have the resources, we have the support from Audi. I think we have all we need to achieve it."
Sauber are the only team yet to pick up a point in the constructors' championship this season, sitting six points behind Williams at the foot of the standings.
Antonelli mistakes will be under the microscope, accepts Wolff
Toto Wolff understands that any mistakes made by Kimi Antonelli will be placed under the microscope, even more so than future team-mate George Russell experienced at Williams.
Antonelli, who currently sits sixth in the Formula 2 drivers' championship, was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for Mercedes in the 2025 season last month.
The news broke merely 24 hours after the Italian made his debut in the opening practice session at Monza, impressing in his first few laps.
However, the 18-year-old's time behind the wheel quickly came to an end when he spun wildly entering the final corner of the track after just 10 minutes of running.
Before making the step up to Mercedes in 2022, future team-mate Russell spent three years with Williams, who found themselves as consistent back markers during his time there.
And while Wolff felt Russell's time with Williams should have been shorter, he acknowledged that his mistakes went largely unnoticed given the team's position in the constructors' championship, something that will be different for Antonelli.
“Obviously, maybe we’ve learned the lesson, George was maybe too long at Williams,” said Wolff.
“[He] did some of the mistakes at Williams where he was not so visible. Now we’ve fast-tracked Kimi, mistakes are going to be more visible because it’s in a Mercedes.
“But we’re absolutely ready for that investment, and having these two guys – full Mercedes juniors now in Formula 1 – is really great to see.
"It’s testament to the work of the junior team, looking at the minis today, the under-10s that are racing in karting.”
It took Russell 81 starts to claim his first triumph in the competition, coming in Sao Paulo two years ago.
He has since claimed 13 podiums for Mercedes, securing a second career victory earlier this season at the Austrian Grand Prix.
And despite a nervy start to his F1 career, Russell is confident that any mistakes Antonelli makes will be crucial for his development.
“When I look back to when I was 18 years old, there’s obviously so much to learn,” Russell conceded.
“But I think, as a driver, you have the speed or you don’t have the speed, and I’m very confident Kimi has the speed.
“I think everybody on their journey is going to make mistakes, and that’s part of life and part of this sport. I’ve no doubt Kimi’s going to learn from [his FP1 at Monza].
“He’s definitely got the speed to help Mercedes get back to the front of the grid for next year onwards, and that’s why he’s going to be in the car alongside me next year.”
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