Max Verstappen took a weapons-grade pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix after a bad-tempered exchange over the radio, for which he later apologised.
The double world champion will, however, start the race from sixth as a result of a gearbox penalty.
Verstappen set the fastest time on the drying Spa track with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc second quickest, eight tenths back, and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez third.
But the afternoon’s action will be best remembered for Verstappen’s flare-up with arce engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, known as GP, at the close of Q2, after the Dutchman had only just squeezed through into Q1, in 10th place.
Verstappen: ‘We should have just pushed two laps in a row like I said.’
Charles Leclerc will begin Sunday’s Belgian GP on pole, despite qualifying second fastest
Max Verstappen was not impressed with the execution which almost saw him leave in Q2
Lambiase: ‘You are through Max.’
Verstappen, in rising anger and voice getting higher: ‘I don’t give a f*** mate that we’re P10. It’s just s*** execution.’
Lambiase: ‘OK then when the track was two seconds quicker for your final lap and you didn’t have any energy left, how would that have gone down?’
With extra sarcasm, Lambiase continued: ‘You tell me what you want to do in Q3 and we will do it. Sets, fuel plan, runs.’
With pole won, Verstappen was contrite, saying: ‘Nice gap that. At least we had a good Q3. And sorry, GP, for being so on the rant.’
GP replied: ‘Slowly getting used to it Max.’
Controversy bubbled up in Q2 when Lewis Hamilton, eventually fourth quicket, ran wide at Eau Rouge. He returned not far from the path of Mercedes team-mate George Russell, finally eighth a disappointing eight-tenths behind his senior partner. The stewards were due to investigate the near coming together after the session.
Daniel Ricciardo’s appearance was short-lived, as he had a time deleted for venturing off track
Daniel Ricciardo’s appearance was short-lived. Not too convincing throughout Q1, the Australian had a time deleted for venturing off track. That left him 19th quickest, only Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg below him.
Ricciardo apologised to his new AlphaTauri team for his detour at Turn 3.
The two Williams also went out at the opening stage, though the fact Logan Sargeant was 1.2 seconds slower than team-mate Alex Albon hardly reflected too gloriously on the American.
Lando Norris qualified seventh, a place behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
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