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Soon after his high-speed crash during Belgian Grand Prix qualifying, McLaren’s Lando Norris was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary X-ray on his elbow. The Briton had topped the first two sessions of qualifying but his dreams of a podium finish were shattered after his Q3 collision.
The extremely wet conditions at the Spa circuit on Saturday caused havoc for all drivers, with Sebastian Vettel launching an impassioned and angry response following Norris’ crash and claiming that qualifying should have been stopped well before.
As Norris looked to continue his excellent form this season, his brilliant qualifying campaign in Belgium came to an abrupt end after he lost control of his McLaren through the high-speed uphill Eau Rouge section of the Spa circuit.
Norris’ McLaren immediately spun and crashed heavily into the barriers, before Q3 was red-flagged amid the hazardous conditions in Belgium.
Fortunately, Norris avoided any serious injury and was seen moving in his car, before jumping out unaided.
JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton sends message to ‘buzzing’ George Russell after crazy Belgium GP qualifying
Lewis Hamilton clinched third spot in the Mercedes with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on pole but it was the driver who finished in second who dominated the headlines on Saturday afternoon.
Williams’ George Russell produced an incredible qualifying to take second, but he almost ended first only for Verstappen to pip him at the death.
It was a brilliant drive from Russell, who is under the spotlight this weekend in Belgium as Mercedes are yet to make their mind up over who will partner Hamilton next season.
Russell is vying for the Mercedes spot with current driver Valtteri Bottas, who is under pressure following a disappointing season to date.
Bottas currently sits fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings and his season got no better on Saturday.
The Finnish driver endured a horror qualifying, having failed to get out of Q2. He will start 13th in Sunday’s race after a grid-place penalty.
After clinching pole, Verstappen will be desperate to bounce back in the title race against Hamilton – with the Brit currently enjoying an eight-point lead.
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