World champion and series leader Max Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull ahead of nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in yesterday’s second practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
After being outpaced by Carlos Sainz in the opening morning session, the 24-year-old Dutchman bounced back to stamp his authority on proceedings with a fastest lap of one minute and 45.507 seconds.
That left Leclerc adrift by eight-tenths of a second around the majestic Spa-Francorchamps track where thousands of fans, including many in the visiting ‘orange army’ of Verstappen supporters, were camped amid the pine trees.
On an inconclusive and slightly topsy-turvy day, Lando Norris was third for McLaren ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Sainz, in the second Ferrari.
Wherever they qualify, the two leading title race contenders, separated by 80 points, are set to start from the back of the grid among a group of six drivers taking penalties for fitting new power-unit components. 
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who is chasing a sixth consecutive podium position in tomorrow’s race, was sixth for Mercedes ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Alpine and George Russell, in the second Mercedes.
Daniel Ricciardo, who on Wednesday announced he will leave McLaren at the end of the year after agreeing to terminate his contract, was ninth and Sergio Perez 10th in the second Red Bull.
After a short downpour at the end of opening practice, the second session began in dry conditions, but with many heads turning to the skies in expectation of more rain from the capricious microclimate at the sprawling Ardennes circuit.
The usual suspects were soon back in control at the top of the timing monitors with Verstappen leading the way ahead of Sainz and Leclerc. Sainz regained top spot briefly after 28 minutes, but the Dutchman responded with a lap in 1:45.507 to move eight-tenths clear of Leclerc, who slotted into second behind him.
By the end of their soft tyre running, the two remained ahead of Norris, Stroll, Sainz and Hamilton with Alonso taking seventh. By then, also, it was clear that at least six drivers were due to face grid penalties for taking new power unit components led by Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Estaban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher, a group that ensures a dynamic opening lap is in prospect on Sunday.
Rain began to fall again with 12 minutes remaining, prompting an array of coloured umbrellas rising around the track as the drivers began slithering wide and sliding into gravel traps. With six minutes to go, all 20 cars were back in the pits only to venture out again for an exploratory lap and some practice starts. 


Energised Hamilton still has ‘plenty to achieve’ in F1
Lewis Hamilton says he is still “in love” with Formula One and believes he can extend his remarkable record of winning at least once each season by claiming victory in one of the next nine races.
The 37-year-old, seven-time world champion, who has enjoyed a run of five consecutive podium finishes in his much-improving Mercedes car, told reporters yesterday that he felt he still had much to offer and achieve in the sport.
“I do,” he said when asked about his prospects and belief in winning again at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, an event that has given him four memorable victories and a roller-coaster of emotions in the past. Definitely. Of course, we’ve been improving. We’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making - everyone pulling together and continuing to push. The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year - it’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.”
Hamilton, who is sixth in the title race, 112 points behind runaway championship leader Max Verstappen, was particularly impressed by the car’s performance in the last grand prix in Hungary when he finished second behind the Dutchman’s Red Bull. 
“The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap. It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down. The other guys are doing an amazing job, but I do believe we can close the gap.”
On a personal level, he said he remained committed to his racing.
“I think there’s still plenty to achieve here, personally. Maybe not that many records, but still a lot of ground to cover with the team and, like the guys here, still deeply in love with the sport.”
Hamilton added that he was especially impressed this year by the way in which Stefano Domenicali had operated as president of Formula One, generating a new sense of momentum.