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Red Bull’s strategic decision to equip Yuki Tsunoda with an updated floor assembly just prior to the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session proved instrumental, propelling the Japanese driver to a strong seventh-place start. This gamble by the team provided a critical advantage for Tsunoda, who had been grappling with his RB21 car since the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite the inherent risks associated with a late component change, this move showcased Red Bull's unwavering support for their driver and helped him achieve his best qualifying result with the team, setting the stage for a promising performance in the upcoming race.

Since assuming the driving duties of the RB21 from Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix in April, Yuki Tsunoda has faced considerable challenges in adapting to the vehicle's characteristics. His season has been marked by a disappointing points accumulation, with a mere seven points from ten races, a stark contrast to Max Verstappen's impressive 137 over the same period. This disparity has been a persistent source of frustration for Red Bull, as the team finds itself in fourth place in the constructors' championship, operating under significant constraints.

A critical setback for Tsunoda occurred in Imola, where a qualifying accident resulted in severe damage to a newly introduced floor component and other essential parts of his car. This incident had a lasting impact, placing him at a disadvantage compared to his teammate, Verstappen, as Red Bull prioritized spare parts production and allocation towards their leading driver. The limited availability of specific components meant Tsunoda continued to operate with a less-than-optimal setup at Spa.

However, leading up to the Grand Prix qualifying, following the sprint event, Red Bull made a crucial and calculated choice: to fit Tsunoda's car with a spare of the latest floor iteration. This decision was not without peril; any damage incurred during qualifying would have likely led to a parc ferme violation, potentially imposing penalties and further hindering his progress in the subsequent race in Budapest. Nevertheless, the gamble paid off handsomely.

Equipped with the upgraded floor, Tsunoda successfully navigated his way into Q3, securing a commendable seventh position on the grid, just three-tenths of a second behind Verstappen. While this may not typically be a cause for major celebration for a team of Red Bull's stature, it unequivocally signaled a strong vote of confidence in Tsunoda. The driver himself expressed profound gratitude for this backing, acknowledging the significant effort put in by his mechanics to prepare the car under immense time pressure.

The upgrade's immediate impact was palpable, with Tsunoda affirming that it was the decisive factor in his Q3 appearance. He also highlighted that this result validated his growing confidence in his single-lap performance, even if previous race outcomes had not fully reflected it. The palpable sense of support from the team, notably from figures like Mekies, who shared a positive history with Tsunoda from their time at Racing Bulls, further motivated the driver as he approached his 100th Grand Prix start.

The successful qualifying performance at the Belgian Grand Prix marks a turning point for Yuki Tsunoda, demonstrating the tangible benefits of Red Bull's bold strategy. It underscores the importance of continuous development and timely upgrades in the highly competitive world of Formula 1. This positive outcome not only boosts Tsunoda's morale but also reinforces the team's belief in his potential to consistently deliver stronger results moving forward.

Lando Norris of McLaren clinched his fourth pole position of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly outperforming his teammate Oscar Piastri. This victory follows Piastri's pole position in the sprint race, setting up a compelling intra-team rivalry for Sunday's main event. In stark contrast, both Lewis Hamilton and Andrea Kimi Antonelli experienced significant setbacks, failing to progress beyond the first qualifying session for the second consecutive day, underscoring persistent challenges for their respective teams, Ferrari and Mercedes.

The qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps unfolded with high drama, particularly for the top contenders and some struggling giants. Norris showcased exceptional form, setting a blistering lap time that solidified his position at the front of the grid, a remarkable achievement given the intense competition from his McLaren counterpart. The session also saw surprising performances from other drivers, while established figures found themselves grappling with unexpected difficulties, further intensifying the anticipation for the grand race.

Norris Claims Pole in Tense Qualifying Battle

Lando Norris, representing McLaren, secured his fourth pole position of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix. His performance was particularly notable as he edged out his teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri, in a closely contested qualifying session. Norris's fastest lap, a 1m40.562s, was achieved as track temperatures rose, making him the only driver to improve upon his Q2 time in the decisive top-10 shootout. This critical performance firmly positions McLaren for a dominant showing in Sunday's main race.

The battle for pole position was a captivating spectacle, with Norris initially setting a commanding pace, nearly two-tenths faster than Piastri and a significant half-second ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who struggled with a used set of soft tires. Despite Piastri's efforts to close the gap, only managing to shave a tenth off his best lap, Norris maintained his advantage. Adding to the drama, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari narrowly snatched third place from Verstappen by a mere 0.003 seconds, while Alex Albon delivered an impressive fifth-place start for Williams, surpassing George Russell. Yuki Tsunoda also showcased a strong performance for Red Bull, securing seventh, followed by the Racing Bulls duo of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, and Sauber's rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, highlighting a dynamic and unpredictable qualifying outcome.

Hamilton and Antonelli Face Early Exit

For the second consecutive day, Lewis Hamilton and Andrea Kimi Antonelli were unable to advance beyond the first qualifying session, marking another disappointing outing for the Mercedes and Ferrari teams. Hamilton's frustration mounted as his best lap time, which could have seen him progress, was invalidated due to exceeding track limits at Raidillon, relegating him to 16th position and eliminating him from Q1. This setback underscores a challenging period for the seven-time world champion and raises questions about his team's performance.

The struggles of Hamilton and Antonelli were not isolated incidents, as several other prominent drivers and teams also faced early exits. Alpine's Franco Colapinto, along with the Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, were among those eliminated in Q1, further emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the qualifying session. In Q2, Esteban Ocon of Alpine narrowly missed out on a spot in Q3, while Oliver Bearman encountered a significant slide that contributed to his elimination. Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz were also unable to proceed, concluding a challenging qualifying day for multiple teams and setting the stage for an intriguing race day with a mixed grid.