F1 Belgian GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

On an action-packed day both on and off the track at Spa-Francorchamps, the F1 world championship leader topped second practice by almost nine-tenths of a second from title rival Charles Leclerc.

But both drivers are set to start the Belgian GP from the back of the grid due to respective engine change penalties – which are also set to hit Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher. 

The F1 headlines were dominated by Audi’s announcement that it will enter F1 as an engine supplier from 2026, while it is expected to partner up with Sauber, who will conclude its partnership with Alfa Romeo at the end of 2023. 

Meanwhile, the drama continued in the F1 driver market, with Oscar Piastri’s situation set to be decided by an F1 Contracts Recognition Board next week to understand if he remains an Alpine driver or is free to move to McLaren. 

What time does qualifying start for the F1 Belgian Grand Prix?

Qualifying for the Belgian GP starts at 4pm local time (3pm BST), using the regular Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout session format.

Date: Saturday 27th August 2022
Start time: 4pm local time – 3pm BST

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A522

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

How can I watch Formula 1?

In the United Kingdom Formula 1 is broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights shown on Channel 4 several hours after the race has finished. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK.

Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts the F1 races, can be added as part of the Sky Sports channels which costs £20 a month for new customers. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98p or a month membership of £33.99p per month.

How can I watch F1 Belgian GP qualifying?

In the United Kingdom every F1 practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with Belgian GP qualifying coverage starting at 2:00pm BST on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event at 2.45pm BST.

Channel: Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event
Start time: 2:00pm BST 27th August 2022 and 2:45pm BST 27th August 2022

Autosport will be running a live text coverage of qualifying here. 

When can I watch the highlights of F1 Belgian GP qualifying?

In the United Kingdom Channel 4 is broadcasting highlights of qualifying for the Belgian GP at 6:30pm BST on Saturday. The full programme will run for 90 minutes, covering both qualifying and wrapping up the major talking points of the race weekend so far.

For the entire 2022 F1 season, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights of every qualifying and race of each event. The highlights will also be available on Channel 4’s on demand catch up services.

Channel: Channel 4
Start time: 6:30pm BST 27th August 2022

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Will F1 Belgian GP qualifying be on the radio?

Live radio coverage of every practice, qualifying and race for the 2022 F1 season will be available on the BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra or via the BBC Sport website.

Coverage of Belgian GP qualifying will start at 3:00pm BST on BBC Sport website and the BBC Sounds app.

What's the weather forecast for qualifying at Spa Francorchamps?

Mild but dry weather is forecast for Saturday afternoon for the start of qualifying, but with a strong chance of showers throughout at Spa-Francorchamps. The temperature is set to be 22 degrees Celsius at the start of qualifying, two degrees cooler than Hungarian GP qualifying last time out.

Free Practice 2 Results

Cla	Driver	Chassis	Laps	Time	Gap
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	20	1'45.507
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	21	1'46.369	0.862
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	17	1'46.589	1.082
4	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	16	1'46.635	1.128
5	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	20	1'46.649	1.142
6	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	18	1'46.893	1.386
7	Fernando Alonso	Alpine	19	1'46.975	1.468
8	George Russell	Mercedes	22	1'47.042	1.535
9	Daniel Ricciardo	McLaren	18	1'47.255	1.748
10	Sergio Perez	Red Bull	15	1'47.346	1.839
11	Alex Albon	Williams	15	1'47.520	2.013
12	Zhou Guanyu	Alfa Romeo	21	1'47.617	2.110
13	Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri	16	1'47.658	2.151
14	Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri	19	1'47.782	2.275
15	Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin	19	1'47.867	2.360
16	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	21	1'47.944	2.437
17	Kevin Magnussen	Haas	19	1'48.208	2.701
18	Valtteri Bottas	Alfa Romeo	21	1'48.419	2.912
19	Nicholas Latifi	Williams	14	1'48.612	3.105
20	Mick Schumacher	Haas	23	1'49.941	4.434
View full results

Free Practice 1 Results

Cla	Driver	Chassis	Engine	Laps	Time	Gap
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	Ferrari	16	1'46.538
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	Ferrari	16	1'46.607	0.069
3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	Red Bull	10	1'46.755	0.217
4	George Russell	Mercedes	Mercedes	13	1'47.396	0.858
5	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	Mercedes	13	1'47.437	0.899
6	Alex Albon	Williams	Mercedes	15	1'47.835	1.297
7	Daniel Ricciardo	McLaren	Mercedes	14	1'48.081	1.543
8	Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri	Red Bull	17	1'48.310	1.772
9	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	Mercedes	10	1'48.420	1.882
10	Sergio Perez	Red Bull	Red Bull	13	1'48.474	1.936
11	Nicholas Latifi	Williams	Mercedes	13	1'48.485	1.947
12	Zhou Guanyu	Alfa Romeo	Ferrari	16	1'48.672	2.134
13	Lando Norris	McLaren	Mercedes	15	1'49.470	2.932
14	Fernando Alonso	Alpine	Renault	17	1'49.664	3.126
15	Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin	Mercedes	12	1'49.813	3.275
16	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	Renault	5	1'50.315	3.777
17	Kevin Magnussen	Haas	Ferrari	9	1'50.982	4.444
18	Mick Schumacher	Haas	Ferrari	15	1'51.259	4.721
19	Liam Lawson	AlphaTauri	Red Bull	14	1'52.065	5.527
20	Valtteri Bottas	Alfa Romeo	Ferrari	2
View full results