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Wherever they qualify, the two leading title race contenders, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, are set to start from the back of the grid among a group of six drivers taking penalties for fitting new power-unit components.
Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull ahead of nearest rival Leclerc of Ferrari in Friday’s second practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
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After being outpaced by Carlos Sainz in the opening morning session, the 24-year-old Dutchman bounced back to stamp his authority on proceedings with a fastest lap of one minute and 45.507 seconds.
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That left Leclerc adrift by eight-tenths of a second around the majestic Spa-Francorchamps track where thousands of fans, including many in the visiting ‘orange army’ of Verstappen supporters, were camped amid the pine trees.
Both Verstappen and Leclerc are taking new power-unit components, that take them beyond their permitted allocation for the season, and will have grid penalties.
That means they will start from the back of the field along with another four drivers who have chosen to switch to new engines for the Belgian race weekend.
“I’ll have to try and work through from the back of the grid,” said Verstappen. “But at least we should have dry conditions. I think today was the worst of the weather.”
On an inconclusive and slightly topsy-turvy day, Lando Norris was third for McLaren ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Sainz, in the second Ferrari.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who is chasing a sixth consecutive podium position in Sunday’s race, was sixth for Mercedes ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Alpine and George Russell, in the second Mercedes.
Daniel Ricciardo, who on Wednesday announced he will leave McLaren at the end of the year after agreeing to terminate his contract, was ninth and Sergio Perez 10th in the second Red Bull.
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