For the first time since 2006, teams were unleashed around the classic Italian venue for a qualifying session.
In the top-10 shootout, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the bar at 1m13.781s, 0.031s quicker than Bottas, who lost time in the final sector. Hamilton then lowered his time to 1m13.706 on the second run, but Bottas snatched the top spot seconds later with 1m13.609s, which was 0.097s faster.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start third, 0.567s off the fastest time. AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly – wearing a fantastic Ayrton Senna tribute helmet – will start fourth.
Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) qualified fifth, ahead of Alex Albon’s Red Bull. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start seventh, ahead of Daniil Kvyat (AlphaTauri) and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
In Qualifying 2, Bottas was fastest on the medium tyres with 1m14.585s, 0.058s faster than Hamilton. Meanwhile, there was huge drama at Red Bull, as Verstappen complained of “no power” on his first run, and was forced to pit for electrical repairs, while his teammate Albon suffered a spin at Variante Alta.
Both made the cut on their final runs, Verstappen even doing it on medium tyres after a spark plug change. Knocked out at this point were Sergio Perez (by just 0.1s in his Racing Point), Esteban Ocon (Renault), George Russell (Williams), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari, who had his fastest lap deleted) and Lance Stroll (Racing Point, who was pinged for track limits and ran wide at Rivazza in a scrappy session).
In Qualifying 1, Bottas set the fastest time at 1m14.221s, eight thousandths faster than Hamilton (who had his fastest time deleted after running too wide at Piratella, and used two sets of soft tyres in this session).
Falling at the first hurdle were the Haas duo Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen (who went off on his final flying lap at Rivazza), Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, Nicholas Latifi (Williams) and the second Alfa of Antonio Giovinazzi.
Emilia Romagna GP: Bottas snatches pole from Hamilton
Bottas “had the shakes” after Imola pole lap
2022 F1 World Championship standings after the Belgian GP
F1 Grand Prix race results: Verstappen wins Belgian GP
The inside story of F1’s newest race track
Red Bull: Porsche 2026 F1 deal still not done
Christian Horner says that no decision has yet been made regarding Red Bull joining forces with Porsche for its 2026 Formula 1 power unit programme.
Belgian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Formula 1 roared back into action after the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the grid was shaken up by engine penalties which created different opportunities for drivers to shine. While the sole top score can probably be predicted, there were plenty of other high marks at Spa
How Ocon pulled off his Hakkinen-style Spa F1 double overtake
Esteban Ocon channelled his inner Mika Hakkinen by completing a brilliant double pass along the Kemmel Straight at Spa, drawing comparisons to the two-time Formula 1 champion’s move in 2000.
How Verstappen scored the best win of his F1 career at Spa
Nothing could deny Max Verstappen’s Spa surge as he charged to a ninth Formula 1 win of the season, while yet more bad luck and questionable calls mired Charles Leclerc. Here’s how the Red Bull driver dominated the Belgian Grand Prix.
Belgian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Formula 1 roared back into action after the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the grid was shaken up by engine penalties which created different opportunities for drivers to shine. While the sole top score can probably be predicted, there were plenty of other high marks at Spa
How Verstappen scored the best win of his F1 career at Spa
Nothing could deny Max Verstappen’s Spa surge as he charged to a ninth Formula 1 win of the season, while yet more bad luck and questionable calls mired Charles Leclerc. Here’s how the Red Bull driver dominated the Belgian Grand Prix.
The traditionalist F1 venue stuck in a philosophical row
With the future of Spa as a grand prix venue in doubt, Ben Edwards admits not everyone will be disappointed if it is dropped from the calendar
Which teams adapted best to F1’s new 2022 rules?
As F1 moves into the second half of the 2022 season, PAT SYMONDS analyses which teams have so far performed well under the championship’s new technical regulations
Why Verstappen has the upper hand for Spa’s recovery race
Formula 1 title rivals Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both face a battle to recover from the rear of the grid after engine penalties. But it appears the championship leader is in the box seat on pace to salvage the most from a potentially tricky Belgian Grand Prix
How Formula 1’s Audi coup has been realised
Formula 1 has pulled off a major coup in encouraging Audi to join the series as an engine manufacturer from the 2026 season. It speaks to the surge in popularity F1 is enjoying. This is how it came to pass and how the famous German marque will tackle its new challenge
Why Spa can reveal the most about Mercedes’ powers of resurrection
After a difficult start to Formula 1’s ground effect-era, Mercedes has shown signs of recovery in recent races by regularly finishing on the podium and even taking pole last time out in Hungary. With more time to understand its W13 car and its improvement in recent races, plus a new technical directive coming into force for Spa, the Belgian GP could be a crucial barometer of its progress.
How Senna’s first F1 winner gave Lotus life after Chapman
Designed by Gerard Ducarouge, the 97T returned Lotus to the winners circle for the first time since the death of its founder but also, as STUART CODLING reveals, gave the team a problem holding onto its new star
