Colapinto advances to Q2 at Belgian Grand Prix; Hamilton crashes

Franco Colapinto advanced to the second qualifying session (Q2) for the Belgian Grand Prix, securing 13th place in Q1 with a lap of 1 minute 46.795 seconds. He finished just behind Pierre Gasly, who was 12th, and less than a second behind the fastest driver, Lando Norris. Colapinto's performance ensures his Alpine team's participation in Q2.

Several drivers are set to face grid penalties for the main race. Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Isack Hadjar, and Lando Norris are among those penalized for exceeding permitted component changes. Lewis Hamilton also experienced a difficult session, crashing his Ferrari at the end of the practice. The rear-right of his car and the floor sustained visible damage, prompting his team to work on repairs to ensure he could participate in qualifying.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the longest on the calendar at 7.004 km with 19 corners, is known for its demanding nature. It is one of the most iconic tracks in Formula 1, having been part of the inaugural championship in 1950. Colapinto had previously expressed optimism about his performance, noting improved comfort and competitiveness compared to recent races after making car adjustments.

In Q1, Colapinto's initial lap was slower than his teammate Gasly's, placing him near the elimination zone. He needed to improve significantly to avoid being knocked out. Norris was provisionally the fastest driver during this initial phase. The Q1 session lasted 18 minutes, with the six slowest drivers eliminated, in addition to any drivers incurring penalties.