F1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023 | Leclerc starts on pole after Verstappen gets grid penalty

Runaway F1 championship leader Max Verstappen had the fastest time in qualifying for the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, but Charles Leclerc will start the race from pole position because of Verstappen’s five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change.

Runaway F1 championship leader Max Verstappen had the fastest time in qualifying for the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, but Charles Leclerc will start the race from pole position because of Verstappen's five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change.

Verstappen will begin Sunday's race in sixth place, but that will hardly bother the two-time reigning Formula One champion considering he won here last year from 14th on the grid.

“This year the car is better. I’m still targeting to win the race for sure," Verstappen said. “I know that I have to drop back on Sunday with the penalty I have, but it was the best I could do today.”

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He also believes it was the right decision to change his gearbox in Belgium.

“I think it’s the best place to do it," said Verstappen, who has won 44 races in his career. "Sunday looks more and more dry.”

Verstappen finished qualifying a significant .82 seconds ahead of Leclerc and .88 ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who moved up from third to second on the grid.