F1 champion Max Verstappen Surges from 14th to win Belgian Grand Prix

Alonso finished sixth in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday, but advances three places on the grid courtesy to penalties for Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Esteban Ocon, leaving just Carlos Sanz and Sergio Perez ahead for the start.

It’s not the first time Alonso has started so high up the order this season, after a remarkable performance in wet qualifying in Canada earned him P2 on the grid – only to plummet down in the race and finish ninth.

Alonso had finished no higher than sixth this season, but despite his advanced grid position, he was not getting ahead of himself, expecting the faster cars to recover and eventually drop Alpine down to its customary upper-midfield position. Cars starting from the top row of the grid at Spa often benefit from a tow provided by the long run from La Source to the end of the Kemmel Straight on the first lap.

When asked about his prospects on the first lap, Alonso joked, “Perhaps Checo and Carlos hit at Turn 1, and I have a freeway ahead of me!” That is what I intend to visualize tonight. Alpine teammate Ocon finished seventh in qualifying, his best result of the season.

After completing fifth in Q3, however due to a power unit penalty, he will start 17th in the race.

Ocon said that he was “very sad” to be slipping back since “he thought we were going to be fast” at Spa, but he remained optimistic about recovering to score some points. We have a quick enough vehicle to do it, added Ocon, who will start straight behind Verstappen and Leclerc.

Many automobiles will be pushing their way through the field surrounding me. I can stand there staring at them, watching what they’re doing, and waiting for them to finish. Know also about F95zone.