Belgian GP grid: Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton to share back row

Alonso jokes he and Hamilton share front row when grid turned upside down after pair pick up combined 120-place grid penalties

By James Galloway at Spa

Monday 29 August 2016 10:34, UK

Fernando Alonso has attempted to see the lighter side of his and Lewis Hamilton's massive Belgian GP grid penalties, as the former team-mates share the back row on Sunday.

As it stands, Hamilton and Alonso will start in 21st and 22nd positions respectively at Spa after picking up engine-related penalties which add up to a combined 120 places.

McLaren's Alonso had already accrued a 35-place drop after one complete change of power unit, before Honda were forced into another change on Saturday night after the Spaniard's car broke down at the start of qualifying. That has added a further 25 places to his total.

When does the Belgian GP start?

Hamilton's three engine changes ahead of qualifying meant the Mercedes driver and world championship leader suffered 55 penalty places. He then picked up a further five when the seal on his gearbox was broken in parc ferme.

In any case, Alonso was guaranteed to start behind Hamilton as the former champion did not set a time in qualifying and McLaren had to receive permission from the stewards for him to race, which was granted.

Alonso later posted a picture on Instagram of the grid upside down, joking it was now the "first row for Lewis and me".

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested on Saturday night that the team would consider whether to start Hamilton from the pitlane, but the Briton himself stressed he was keen to start from the grid.

Conclusions from Qualifying

Meanwhile, Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez has dropped from 13th to 18th on the grid after receiving a five-place penalty for blocking Pascal Wehrlein in final practice.

Nico Rosberg shares the front row with Max Verstappen, who broke a 55-year record to become F1's youngest-ever front-row starter. The race begins at 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1 and the new Sky Sports Mix channel.