2025 Belgian Grand Prix: Team Quotes from Sprint and Qualifying

sauber Secures Strong Qualifying Amidst Spa Drama; Gabi Surges to P10

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS – Formula 1 action at Spa-francorchamps delivered a thrilling qualifying session today, with Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto making a remarkable surge into Q3, ultimately securing a P10 starting position for the Grand Prix. This marks Sauber’s highest starting grid slot at Spa in a decade, a testament to the team’s growing momentum.

The day began with a largely uneventful Sprint race for Bortoleto, though the valuable track time proved beneficial for his acclimatization to the challenging circuit. However, the qualifying session was where Bortoleto truly shone. Initially qualifying in P16 and narrowly missing Q2 by a mere 0.024 seconds, a deleted lap time for Lewis Hamilton proved to be a stroke of luck for the young Brazilian. Seizing the opportunity, Bortoleto reset and delivered a stellar performance in Q2, propelling himself into the final qualifying segment.Despite facing a shortage of new tires by Q3, bortoleto’s P9 qualifying lap, wich became P10 after further assessment, showcased his exceptional talent and resilience.

“Back into Q3! I think it’s safe to say sometimes you do need a little bit of luck in this sport, and today it was my turn,” Bortoleto commented. “I hadn’t given my best in Q1 – I was honestly pretty frustrated about it – and I knew I had to reset and focus on improving in Q2, giving everything I had: I am glad it worked out.” He further added, “I am feeling more comfortable in the car every weekend. I would like to thank the team – both trackside and back home in hinwil – for this. Looking at tommorow – rain or dry – we’ll be ready and give it our best.”

Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley lauded Bortoleto’s drive as “great,” emphasizing the importance of the P10 starting position. “Gabi originally qualified in P16, just 0.024 seconds off progressing into Q2. Though, Hamilton’s time was then deleted and Gabi found himself through to the second period of qualifying where he did a great lap, qualified P9, and put himself into Q3 for the second time this season,” Wheatley explained. “It was great to see the garage busy throughout qualifying and Gabi’s P10 marked Sauber’s highest starting position at Spa in a decade.”

Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg also showcased a strong drive. Despite sustaining damage in the pit lane during the Sprint following an incident, the team efficiently replaced the nose cone. Hulkenberg’s consistent runs in Q1 saw him progress into Q2, ultimately qualifying in P14, just two tenths away from a Q3 appearance.

“Sprint weekends are always a test of team endurance and once again we came together, enabling both cars to be in Q2 for the first time this season,” Wheatley stated. “The energy in the team is great going into Sunday and, with two good starting positions secured, we are ready for whatever surprises Spa might throw at us.”

With both drivers starting within the top 15, Sauber is poised for a competitive showing in tomorrow’s Grand Prix, irrespective of the unpredictable Spa weather.

What strategic importance does Max Verstappen attribute to the Sprint race regarding tire management at Spa-Francorchamps?

Red Bull Racing – Dominance Continues?

Following a strong showing in qualifying for the 2025 Belgian grand Prix, Red Bull appears to be the team to beat. Max Verstappen secured pole position, with Sergio Perez close behind.

Max Verstappen: “The car felt really good today. Spa is always a challenging track, but we managed to dial in the setup perfectly. The Sprint race will be important to understand tire degradation, but we’re confident.”

Sergio Perez: “We made some good progress with the car after FP1. It’s great to be starting near the front here, especially at a track like Spa. We need to maximize points in both the Sprint and the main race.”

Ferrari – Closing the Gap?

Ferrari showed improved pace during qualifying, with Charles Leclerc and carlos Sainz Jr. securing positions within the top five. The team is hoping to challenge Red Bull’s dominance this weekend.

Charles Leclerc: “We’ve made some positive steps forward with the car. The feeling is good, and we’re closer to Red Bull than we were in previous races. We need to execute a clean Sprint race and then focus on the Grand Prix.”

Carlos Sainz Jr.: “It was a tight qualifying session. We extracted everything we could from the car. The long straights here at Spa demand a lot from the power unit, and we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made.”

Mercedes – A Mixed Bag of Results

Mercedes had a more challenging qualifying session, with Lewis hamilton and George Russell struggling to find the optimal setup. The team is looking to improve their performance in the Sprint race.

Lewis Hamilton: “We struggled a bit with the balance today. The car felt unpredictable, and we need to analyze the data to understand what went wrong. We’ll be pushing hard in the Sprint to make up some ground.”

George Russell: “It wasn’t the qualifying we were hoping for. We need to find more pace and improve the consistency of the car. We’ll be working hard overnight to prepare for the Sprint.”

McLaren – Promising Pace

McLaren demonstrated competitive pace, with Lando Norris and oscar Piastri both securing positions inside the top ten. The team is optimistic about their chances in both races.

Lando Norris: “A solid qualifying session for us.The car felt good, and we were able to extract a good lap time. We’re looking forward to the Sprint race and the Grand Prix.”

Oscar Piastri: “I’m happy with my performance today. It’s a great track to drive, and the car is responding well to the changes we’ve made. We’ll be aiming for a strong result in both races.”

Aston Martin – Fighting for Points

Aston Martin had a relatively quiet qualifying session,with fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll securing positions in the midfield.The team is focused on maximizing points this weekend.

Fernando Alonso: “It was a difficult qualifying session. We struggled to find the right balance with the car.We’ll be working hard to improve our performance in the Sprint race.”

Lance stroll: “We need to analyze the data and understand why we were lacking pace today. We’ll be pushing hard to make up ground in the Sprint and the Grand Prix.”

Alpine – Development Showing Promise

Alpine showed signs of enhancement with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly both making it into Q2. The team is continuing to develop its 2025 challenger.

Esteban Ocon: “We made some good progress with the car this weekend.It’s encouraging to see the development we’re bringing is making a difference.”

Pierre Gasly: “A decent qualifying session. we’re still working on optimizing the car’s setup,but we’re moving in the right direction.”

Williams, AlphaTauri, Haas & sauber – Battling in the Midfield

The remaining teams are closely matched, battling for positions in the midfield. Qualifying saw a tight battle between Williams, AlphaTauri, Haas, and Sauber. Expect a competitive sprint race.

Sprint Race Strategy Considerations

Teams will be notably focused on tire management during the Sprint race, given the abrasive nature of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Pirelli has brought a range of compounds to cater to the varying track conditions. Understanding the optimal strategy will be crucial for maximizing points. The sprint Shootout will be key to setting up the Sprint race grid and providing valuable data for race strategy.

Qualifying Lap Analysis: Key Sectors

The long straights and fast corners of Spa-Francorchamps make it a unique challenge for drivers and engineers. Sector 1 (La Source to Eau Rouge/Raidillon) is crucial for a good lap time, requiring precision and commitment. Sector 3 (Pouhon to Blanchimont) also demands high speed and aerodynamic efficiency.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/results/2025/belgian-gp-653187/