Image source, Neil Armstrong

Fernando Alonso, at the last time of counting, had a 60-place grid penalty.

He will, though, start in 22nd - because that's how many cars there are.

Seems odd to us. But where would 60 places take you?

The moon? Disney Land Paris? Stevenage?

Use #bbcf1 to give your suggestions and bonus points for using pictures.

Image source, .

Max Verstappen starts in second today. He's the only man who does not drive a Mercedes to win a race this year - in Spain on his red Bull debut.

Can he continue his one-man crusade against the Silver Arrows in front of a Verstappen-supporting crowd?

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

Image source, Getty Images

The Belgian Grand Prix is always a popular race - the circuit’s reputation and the fact that it’s an easy weekend away from the UK means that the local fans from Belgium, France and Germany are always joined by thousands of Brits.

This year, they are supplemented by an estimated 20,000 additional fans from the Netherlands - here to support their new hero Max Verstappen. And the queues to get into the circuit in the early morning sun were long, long, long.

The atmosphere is great, though, and Verstappen fulfilled his side of the bargain by putting the Red Bull on the front row. Unlike all his immediate rivals, though, he starts on the super-soft tyre.

Theoretically, that puts him at a disadvantage, but it was an active choice and he is optimistic.

“We start on the super-soft and then see where we end up after a few laps,” he said.

“I have to box (pit) a bit earlier but after that there are a lot of laps to go and we’ll see what happens.”    

All together now:

Awwwwwwww.

Although isn't Jenson sort of on the market these days?

That news about Lewis Hamilton starting from the pit-lane is interesting.

Hamilton expected to start on the grid, despite the risk of collisions at the first turn, because he would lose about eight seconds starting from the pits.

But the decision has been taken out of his hands after that seal was removed from the gearbox.

Some absolute beauties here - and Jenson Button's not a bad looking boy either.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

What can Lewis Hamilton do from the back row of the grid? That’s the big question heading into the race.

“I’m hoping to get into the top 10,” he said. “All I can hope is to aim as high as possible and get up as high as I can. A podium position feels unlikely but it’s not impossible.

"Things can happen - safety cars and all sorts of things - but with these tyres the way they are, which is a bit of a mess, it is going to be tough for everyone. It is going to be tough to get on the podium and win.”

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo echoed that, saying he felt Hamilton should not be able to trouble the top five on the grid.

“If we have a clean race, and don't get held up by anyone who shouldn't be in front of us, I don't think we'll see Lewis in the mirrors,” the Australian said. “If we race our quickest race, we won't see him. I'm sure he's going to come through but if us top five do what we've got to do, he won't quite catch on to us.”

Image source, Getty Images

And with grid penalties for Gutierrez (five), Ericsson (10), Hamilton (55) and Alonso (60), here's how the back of the grid looks.

Palmer                   SainzWehrlein                   NasrOcon                   GutierrezKvyat                   EricssonHamilton                   Alonso

Here's the front half of the grid:

Rosberg                        VerstappenRaikkonen                        VettelRicciardo                        PerezHulkenberg                        BottasButton                        MassaGrosjean                        Magnussen

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, BBC Sport

The BBC Radio 5 live team are roaming around the Spa track before they go live at 12:55 BST.

"The paddock is split into two levels with the motor homes on lower level," says producer Francesa Bent.

Loads of you have travelled to Spa this weekend, so why not send us a picture?

Use #bbcf1 on Twitter.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

Image source, Rex Features

One of the world’s greatest race tracks is resplendent under blue summer skies and packed with spectators basking in the unusually warm sunshine. One Mercedes starting at the front and another at the back because of Lewis Hamilton’s problems is not perhaps the best theoretical recipe for a great motor race, but the sense is that this one could belie that, more of which in a moment.

With Hamilton coming through the field and a close-looking race at the front, the events of this afternoon in the Ardennes promise to get a hectic final nine races of the season off to a good start.    

Image source, Getty Images

Now, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso may have a combined 115-place grid penalty - 60 to Alonso and 55 to Hamilton - but of course they won't be starting in those positions.

That would be silly. And F1 is never silly.

Instead, they will occupy the back two places on the grid - 21st for Hamilton and 22nd for Alonso.

Can Hamilton cut a way through the field and limit the damage to his 19-point lead over Nico Rosberg in the championship?

The race starts at 13:00 BST, with commentary on BBC Radio 5 live from 12:55 BST.

Image source, AP

Can you see it?

Right there, on the horizon. Squint. Here, try these binoculars.

Yes! You've got it, those two tiny dots on the horizon.

That's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso lining up on the grid, somewhere in Luxembourg.

Welcome the Belgian Grand Prix.