Lando Norris faces Oscar Piastri after qualifying battle at Spa

Norris surpassed Piastri, but fears the forecast for the Belgian Grand Prix

17:24, 26 Jul

Updated: 17:25, 26 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris managed to do it, the Briton bagged a special pole at Spa, pipping title rival and teammate Oscar Piastri to top the timing sheets, giving McLaren its 68th front row lockout.

What was to be, in the end was. After falling to Piastri and Max Verstappen in the Sprint qualifying session, Norris set his sights on the qualifying for the Grand Prix, and it paid off.

Speaking after the session Norris said: "It was a decent lap, so, happy." After the Sprint qualifying the general mood was that the Briton did not have the edge on his teammate.

"Everyone was pretty worried after yesterday, I wasn't even that far off. I was confident coming into today, so I was happy to be back at the top."

McLaren do it again

The MCL39 has been the class of the field, and it was yet again at Spa, which makes the battle between him and teammate Piastri all the more difficult.

"The car has been flying all weekend, Oscar has been doing a good job so we have been pushing each other which is good. It is a good but tough battle we are having at the moment."

The two are currently locked in a fierce battle for the championship that sees Piastri lead Norris by 9 points after the Sprint race.

The forecast for tomorrow is that of a wet race, something Norris would rather avoid if possible.

"I'd prefer it to stay dry to be honest - it would be nice to have a dry Sunday to be honest," he concluded.