Belgian Grand Prix: Rosberg captures third pole on trot

Mercedes driver pips Red Bull’s Verstappen to finish first in qualifying

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Nico Rosberg boosted his hopes of regaining control of the world championship yesterday when he claimed pole position for today’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Taking full advantage of his championship-leading Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton’s multiple grid penalties that have consigned him to the back of the grid, the 31-year-old German delivered a well-judged performance to complete a hat-trick of poles.

It was Rosberg’s fifth pole this season and the 28th of his career — and gives him a great chance to reduce, or even overhaul, Hamilton’s 19-point lead in the drivers’ title race.



Dutch teenager and local hero Max Verstappen was second to become the youngest front-row starter in Formula One history ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel was fourth in the second Ferrari ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull.

Sergio Perez was sixth ahead of his Force India teammate Nico Hulkenberg, Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams, Jenson Button of McLaren-Honda and Felipe Massa in the second Williams.



“Thank you guys,” said Rosberg, while talking to his team on his slowdown lap. “Awesome recovery and a really good job done.”

Fernando Alonso’s troubled weekend continued when, having collected a 35-place grid penalty for taking a new power unit, he suffered a car failure without clocking a lap time in his McLaren.

He was already destined to join Hamilton at the back of the grid, the defending champion having collected a 55-place grid penalty for taking three power units.



As Hamilton chatted to reporters before going to feed his dogs and relax, Rosberg went out and set the pace in Q2 ahead of Verstappen and Hulkenberg, while a strong lap from Button meant the elimination of both Haas drivers Frenchman Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez in 11th and 13th places.

The Renault duo of Magnussen and Palmer also departed, along with Carlos Sainz and German Pascal Wehrlein, who qualified in an impressive 16th place.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2016.

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