Qualifying at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

After what seemed like a summer break that was three weeks to long, Formula One was back at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

As Q1 was about to begin, it appeared that it wasn't just the fans that were eager to get back to the races but also the teams. A queue had formed at the end of the pit lane with both William's, Toro Rosso and the pair of Marussia's ready to take to the track the moment the likes turned green. Avery short time later, the Ferrari's and Mercedes took to track as well.

Two minutes into Q1 and all driver's were out on track (just as the William's pair were about to start their timed laps). As the cars started making their way around the track, it appeared that it wasn't the break as much that was forcing the driver's to track but more so the weather that was coming.

But as the time started ticking down, the weather cleared up and the driver's began looking (and weaving) to find wet patched on track. With eleven minutes left in Q1, teams were now finding themselves in a tough situation, were they going to burn through another set of intermediates or take the chance and put slicks on their driver's and hope for the best. With a dry line forming quite quickly, it seemed that the teams at the back were opting for the slicks as the front runners were heading back out with a new set of intermediates.

As the timer clicked to 0:00, the driver's were taking turns and constantly leap frogging each other to the top. But a massive surprise for Marussia.... Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton both made it into Q2, guessing that their slick tyre choice paid off! Understandably, they will not make in into Q3 but still... Amazing job though!

After an almost unbelievable first segment of qualifying at Spa. Here is the list of eliminated drivers after the late shuffle:

17) Pastor Maldonado 2:03.072
18) Jean-Éric Vergne 2:03.300
19) Daniel Ricciardo 2:03.317
20) Valtteri Bottas 2:03.432
21) Esteban Gutiérrez 2:04.324
22) Charles Pic 2:07.384

Q2 and what a spectacular sight to see a pair of black and red cars enter the track. Four minutes in the nearest rain was measured at four miles from the circuit. Bring any remaining drivers onto the track. No one wanted to be caught out without a fast lap before the rain hit.

With Mother Nature being as she is, Q2 was able to end out on a dry note. But unlike Q1, there were only a few drivers vying for fastest lap, not 12+ drivers!

Button and his crew finally have made it through into Q3. And as predicted, Q2 ended out with the back three being the Caterham and the pair of Marussia's, but still, seeing them in Q2 was something of a treat. A busy end to the segment with quite a few position changes. Here is the Q2 elimination list:

11) Nico Hülkenberg 1:49.088
12) Adrian Sutil 1:49.103
13) Sergio Perez 1:49.304
14) Giedo van der Garde 1:52.036
15) Jules Bianchi 1:52.563
16) Max Chilton 1:52.762

As the lights go green for the Top Ten Shootout, the rain has started. Nearly all the driver's were ready for the lights as to beat the rain because we are all aware that rain on track could mean anything from a little sprinkle to a full out river flowing across the track. Not even one lap in and the only car that was able to a 'decent lap' in the beginning stages in Q3 was Paul di Resta. All other driver's were queuing up in the pits for a set of intermediates. 

Four and a half minutes left and the skies opened up over part of the track. The easiest way to see how rain can affect the times is.... Nico Hülkenberg was knocked out in Q2 with a 1:49.088. Paul di Resta set his time in Q3 at a 2:02:332. 

With a minute and a half left, the rain was so heavy over part of the track, that it appeared that Force India was about to take their first pole position. It seemed that Force India had played their card right when they sent di Resta out late at the lights.

It all seemed so right for Force India until the checkered flag fell and the rain stopped... First Rosberg knocked di Resta out of P1 and then he just fell from there. It must have been a terrible feeling for di Resta, if the rain had only kept up for another one to two minutes, he would have had P1 in Spa. But it just goes to show how fickle the weather can be in Belgium.

Hopefully Sunday at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps proves to be just as interesting!

Lewis Hamilton	P1
Sebastian Vettel	P2
Mark Webber	P3
Nico Rosberg	P4
Paul di Resta	P5
Jenson Button	P6
Romain Grosjean	P7
Kimi Räikkönen	P8
Fernando Alonso	P9
Felipe Massa	P10
Nico Hülkenberg	P11
Adrian Sutil	P12
Sergio Perez	P13
Giedo van der Garde	P14
Jules Bianchi	P15
Max Chilton	P16
Pastor Maldonado	P17
Jean-Éric Vergne	P18
Daniel Ricciardo	P19
Valtteri Bottas	P20
Esteban Gutiérrez	P21
Charles Pic	P22