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F1: Hamilton Flies to Belgian GP Pole
Written by: Kevin Krefting   
09/06/2008
Spa, Belgium
 
Hamilton edged clearly ahead of Massa, while Kovalainen topped Raikkonen to put McLaren ahead also on the second row. (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos

Felipe Massa’s last lap in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying beat Lewis Hamilton’s best thus far by 0.3sec, and still that didn’t stop the Briton from eventually lowering the Brazilian’s quickest by a further 0.3sec to take an authoritative pole position at Spa-Francorchamps. It was the fifth pole of the year for the championship points leader, the 11th of his career.

Massa had to settle for second as McLaren won also the second-row battle, with Heikki Kovalainen edging Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari. A rare qualifying upset of Nick Heidfeld over BMW teammate Robert Kubica means the German starts fifth – the Pole could do no better than eighth.

"Today has been a great day for me," said Hamilton. "I was so happy with all three laps I did in qualifying because it is always satisfying when you can do one lap and come back and watch everyone try and get their laps done.

"Today the team made no mistakes and I made no mistakes, I had three great laps, four great laps, at the end of Q3. My first Q3 lap had a bit of a lock-up at turn one, same at the second one but I kept it together, and the rest of the lap I was very happy with. I feel great, and the atmosphere in the team feels great."

Meanwhile Massa confessed that the McLaren was simply too strong: "To be honest I did a great lap, but unfortunately it was not enough. Sometimes you do a great lap and you are still missing something.

"We need to understand why. We had a great car and I did a great lap in qualifying and it wasn't enough. We don't know what the fuel loads are compared to them but I think they were quicker in all three qualifying sessions so that is a sign they are pretty strong here."

In between the BMWs will line up the Renault of Fernando Alonso and a returning-to-form Red Bull of Mark Webber. Toro Rosso shone again with
under-pressure Sebastien Bourdais crucially beating teammate Sebastian Vettel to P9.

A notable absence in Q3 was Toyota, currently sitting fourth place in the constructor's championship. Jarno Trulli will start 11th, while Timo Glock had to settle for 13th.


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Belgian Grand Prix qualifying results:

1) Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:47.338
2) Massa, Ferrari, 1:47.678
3) Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:47.815
4) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:47.992
5) Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:48.315
6) Alonso, Renault, 1:48.504
7) Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:48.736
8) Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:48.763
9) Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:48.951
10) Vettel, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:50.319

11) Trulli, Toyota, 1:46.949
12) Piquet, Renault, 1:46.965
13) Glock, Toyota, 1:46.995
14) Coulthard, Red Bull-Renault, 1:47.018
15) Rosberg, Williams-Toyota, 1:47.429

16) Barrichello, Honda, 1:48.153
17) Button, Honda, 1:48.211
18) Sutil, Force India-Ferrari, 1:48.226
19) Nakajima, Williams-Toyota, 1:48.268
20) Fisichella, Force India-Ferrari, 1:48.447

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