Formula One news

McLaren settles for second row

McLaren Mercedes drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps from the second row of the grid. Fernando, who spun during his first attempt in the middle sector of the track and had only one fast lap in the final part of qualifying, set a time of 1min46.091 and was third fastest. Lewis qualified fourth with 1min46.406.

Commenting on his qualifying session Fernando Alonso said: "Everything went very smoothly for my final lap today, which was good as I was a little worried after I spun on my first attempt. Unfortunately at that moment the tyres just lost their grip and I could do nothing. I am pretty confident for the race even though the Ferrari's seem quick. This track is quite similar to Turkey so we expected them to be strong, but we have made some definite improvements since then, and it will not be an easy victory for them, that is for sure."

Hamilton commented on his qualifying run: "It was a decent qualifying for us and I think that we did a good job. The first session wasn't great, but I made some improvements to my driving and managed to find the time in the second session. I thought my final lap was really good, with no mistakes. It is always possible to win, and I am pretty confident that I have a strong strategy. We knew the Ferarris would be quick, and it will be an interesting race; anything can happen on the way down to the first corner and obviously there is a long straight where you can overtake."

more news

• 05 Sep.
  • Vettel to test Red Bull this month
• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa
  • Former Albers manager teams up with Doornbos
  • Massa: Beating Raikkonen will be difficult at Spa
  • Belgian Grand Prix technical preview
• 02 Sep.
  • Raikkonen: I need a good result at Spa
  • Button: Spa is just great!
  • Brawn hopes for mixed weather conditions
  • Toro Rosso invites Sato and Buemi for test
  • Glock hoping to score more points
  • Renault not giving up on fourth
  • Piquet determined to score at Spa
• 01 Sep.
  • Ecclestone supports Mosley
  • Trulli expects another strong weekend
  • Alonso determined to bounce back
  • Cregan to leave Toyota at end of season
  • Belgian Grand Prix snap shot
  • Mercedes boss expects tight end to season
• 31 Aug.
  • Alonso pleased with test progress
  • Honda still looking for Monza set up
• 30 Aug.
  • Force India eyes Honda after test progress
  • BMW boss wants both cars in the points
  • Aero updates for McLaren at Spa
  • Heidfeld in determined mood for Spa
• 29 Aug.
  • Hamilton finishes test on top
  • Another accolade for Frank Williams
  • Hamilton relishing Spa challenge
  • Photos: Friday in Monza
  • Former champion Phil Hill passes away
  • Alonso happy with first day at wheel
  • Rosberg hopeful of upward trend
• 28 Aug.
  • Heidfeld on top at Monza
  • Photos: Thursday in Monza
  • Raikkonen to play support role to Massa if needed
  • Renault happy with first day, despite position
  • Weather key to title - Whitmarsh

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