Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Hamilton starts fourth, Verstappen and Leclerc face uphill battle

F1 preview: A lap of the Belgian Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to secure a sixth podium finish in as many races by pushing his Mercedes car into the top three at the end of today’s Belgian Grand Prix. The 37-year-old will line up in fourth position on the grid for the 44-lap contest at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with a large number of grid penalties having been applied to the drivers around him.

The likes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are among those affected by grid drop penalties after changing their power units at the start of the weekend, which could play into Hamilton’s hands by allowing him to attack the front-runners early on. However the aforementioned pair are widely expected to slice through the order and challenge for the podium positions as a result of the superior pace of Red Bull and Ferrari in comparison to the rest of the field.

The widespread penalties mean that Carlos Sainz will start on pole position to lead a jumbled-up grid off the line when the five red lights go out. He will be closely followed by Sergio Perez, who will line up in second, while third-placed Fernando Alonso is set to start from just ahead of Hamilton in fourth.

Follow Express Sport‘s live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix below.

KEY EVENTS

  • BREAKING: Spa to stay for 202313:03
  • Good afternoon13:00

    • BREAKING: Spa to stay for 2023

    Formula One have officially confirmed that the Belgian Grand Prix will be staying on the calendar for 2023 after months of speculation regarding its long-term future in the sport.

    Good afternoon

    Hello and welcome to Express Sport‘s live coverage of this year’s Belgian Grand Prix, with F1 having finally returned to our screens after a month-long summer break.

    Carlos Sainz will line up on pole position at the start of today’s 44-lap contest, with a large number of grid penalties for other drivers shaking up the order.

    Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are among those to have been penalised for changing their power units and will start from 14th and 15th on the grid respectively.

    Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, could be in with a shout of finishing on the podium yet again if he manages to improve from fourth place before the chequered flag drops.

    We’re just an hour away from lights out and will be on hand to keep you up to date with all the on-track action as it happens.

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