German Nico Hulkenberg was sixth for Force India ahead of compatriot Nico Rosberg, seventh in the second Mercedes on a weekend when he seeks to take advantage of the penalties that will force Hamilton to start from the back of the grid.
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Max Verstappen will have an unhindered view of the first corner at the start of Sunday’s Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, but the Dutchman will have his sights set far beyond that after securing the maiden front-row start of his fledgling career.
Max Verstappen hit back at the “moaning” Kimi Raikkonen’s criticism of his driving in the Belgian GP and described it as “ridiculous”. Williams Mercedes – Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.
Nevertheless, Red Bull will be boosted by their strong form here with Daniel Ricciardo one quarter of a second slower than Belgium-born Verstappen. Renault – Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. McLaren Honda – Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.
There were also some brief off’s for Hamilton, whilst Romain Grosjean’s American dream is slowly turning into an American nightmare, describing his Haas’s balance as “the rear end is a disaster, just no grip“, although it was soon sorted.
But he is set to start near the back of the grid after Mercedes fitted two fresh power units to his auto ahead of each of Friday’s sessions. Though Verstappen blamed both Ferrari drivers for the clash, Vettel does not think the Red Bull driver’s move was ever likely to succeed. I was in second place and half a vehicle ahead, so I could dictate the way. Two world champions knocked out, therefore, but not by anything they did but rather auto woes.
A series of engine failures early in the year meant Hamilton quickly reached the limit of new parts he is allowed for the season while Rosberg, who won the opening four races without problems, is within the limits.
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With a repaired front-wing, Ricciardo held station behind Nico Rosberg at the restart and though he wasn’t able to match the Mercedes for out-and-out pace, he was delighted to notch up another valuable podium. However, Verstappen’s best time, was 0.243 clear of the 1:48.328 Rosberg managed in the morning. Having fallen off at Stavelot on his first run, which he aborted, the Finn made amends with 1m 46.910s to push Ricciardo out of the third place; the Australian had lapped in 1m 47.216s.
