Belgian Grand Prix qualifying news, preview and free pole position tip

Sky Sports F1, 2pm Saturday

Lewis Hamilton's rivals will be hoping the 2019 F1 campaign is a season of two halves after the Mercedes star went into the summer break with a 62-point lead over the field.

And there was at least a refreshingly competitive look to the times on practice day for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Bookmakers are finding it hard to split Hamilton from the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel in the fastest qualifier market after the Italian team topped the times in both sessions.

Leclerc was 0.630 seconds faster than Vettel in the afternoon session, with Ferrari enjoying a clear advantage in the straight-filled first sector and the Monegasque youngster looks worth backing for his third pole of the season.

While Sundays have been dominated by Hamilton, who has eight wins with Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen claiming two each, it has been more competitive in qualifying with five different Saturday stars in the last six races.

Leclerc has often had the upper hand on four-time champion Vettel this season, though two retirements mean he trails his teammate in the championship, but he looks to have come back in the mood to show his pace at a track loved by speed demons.

Six drivers are set for grid penalties in the race. Alex Albon, making his Red Bull debut, Lance Stroll and Daniil Kvyat will all start from the back of the grid, while Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz will drop five places from their qualifying position.

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1pt 9-4 Betfred

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