Belgian Grand Prix qualifying

Summary

Hamilton equals Schumacher's pole position record of 68
Sunday's race coverage from 11:00 BST
Vettel signs new Ferrari contract until 2020
Hamilton bidding to equal Schumacher's all-time pole record
Get involved #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Gary Rose

Special Spapublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
From Michael Schumacher's debut...
Image source, Getty Images
... to the legendary German's first race win...
Image source, Getty Images
... and now Lewis Hamilton's record-equalling pole position...
Image source, Getty Images
Spa-Francorchamps has seen some special moments in Formula 1.
Will Sunday's race deliver another one? Join us at 11:30 BST to find out.
Postpublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Fernando Alonso's day ended in disappointment as he lost power at the end of Q2, scuppering his chances of progressing to the top 10 shootout.
"Q3 was possible," he says. "The team did a fantastic job. We tried to take benefit from Stoffel's penalty for the other car to take some slipstream but then in the wrong moment we had a problem.
"It was a positive day and surprise to us how competitive we were. It doesn't change the situation much. We are still lacking the same things. We are working everyday to improve the situation and we will see some good signs in the next few races."
Postpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
More from Lewis Hamilton: "This is a perfect way to start the weekend. The second half of the season is going to be tough but we are geared up for it."
Postpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps
Image source, Rex Features
The key to Hamilton's pole was arguably a stupendous effort through the middle sector of the lap at the demanding Spa-Francorchamps track in the Ardennes mountains.
The Ferrari had been quicker than the Mercedes through sector two throughout the weekend but Hamilton pulled something out of the bag on his final run to set the pace there by 0.2secs.
The stage is set for a titanic battle between title rivals Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in the race, which Vettel starts 14 points ahead of Hamilton.
Read Andrew's full report here.
Postpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Image source, .
Get involved #bbcf1published at 14:22 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Jeremiah Kariuki: Sunday is the big day. Two of the best, the season leading two on the front row! That adds to the flavour of the race day.
'A perfect job by Lewis'published at 14:19 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Valtteri Bottas, third in qualifying: "I was aiming for pole position but Lewis has been doing a perfect job all week and to be honest I was struggling."
Postpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Lewis Hamilton's stunning lap overshadowed just how good Sebastian Vettel's was. The German improved significantly but Hamilton was simply untouchable.
Two of the very best at the top of their game. Wonderful.
Postpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Image source, F1.com
Sebastian Vettel, second in qualifying: "The last lap the car was more alive, I was lucky with Kimi who aborted the lap and he gave me a nice tow to get on to the front row."
'Like a dream'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Image source, F1.com
Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position: "Big shout out to the fans here. I can't believe it. A big thank you to my team, Ross Brawn was a big part of that. This is one of my favourite circuits so to put a lap together like that is like a dream.
"To hear that message Ross just gave, a big thank you. I pray for Michael and his family all the time. I have always admired him and still do today. I am honoured to be there with him now on the pole positions but he will still be one of the greatest of all time."
'Records are there to be broken'published at 14:09 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Ross Brawn goes out onto the track to congratulate Lewis Hamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher's record of 68 career pole positions.
"I am here to deliver a special message from the Schumacher family who want to congratulate you on equalling Schumacher's record," says Brawn.
"Schumacher always said records are there to be beaten and they want to say a special thanks."
Image source, EPA
Postpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
Image source, Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton delivered that killer blow in the middle sector. It was a phenomenal lap. However, Sebastian Vettel's final lap, it was close enough just to keep him and Hamilton focused. Tomorrow is going to be a good day.
Postpublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Lewis Hamilton climbs out of his car, kneels at the front of it and pats the nose like you would a horse. His trusty steed has truly delivered today.
Image source, Getty Images
Qualifying top 10published at 14:04 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
1) Hamilton
2) Vettel
3) Bottas
4) Raikkonen
5) Verstappen
6) Ricciardo
7) Hulkenberg
8) Perez
9) Ocon
10) Palmer
Get involved #bbcf1published at 14:03 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Rachel T: Very, very special from HAM - Britain's finest!
Chequered flagpublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
LEWIS HAMILTON SECURES POLE POSITION FOR THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX, EQUALLING MICHAEL SCHUMACHER'S RECORD OF 68 CAREER POLES.
Image source, .
Image source, .
Postpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Sebastian Vettel improves but not enough! He's second quickest, two tenths down on Lewis Hamilton.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Valtteri Bottas goes second quickest for now, half a second down on Lewis Hamilton...
Postpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
WOW!!
Unbelievable lap by Lewis Hamilton! It's a 1:42.553 and surely there's no chance anyone is beating that.
Monster lap.
Postpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Lewis Hamilton is fastest of all through the middle sector...