Max Verstappen conquered a slippery Spa to post the fastest time in qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix – but will start from way down in 11th due to his 10-place grid penalty.

The reigning world champion has been penalised for taking his fifth engine of the season, one more than he is permitted.

Verstappen did all he could, though, in the way of damage limitation and looked to be operating at a different level compared to the rest of the field.

‘Let’s see what we can do tomorrow but today was a very good day,’ said Verstappen. ‘A big thank you to all the mechanics for working so late last night.’

The session had been in some jeopardy due to the torrential rain which fell for several hours beforehand.

Max Verstappen was more than half a second faster than Charles Leclerc in qualifying

Verstappen received a five-place grid penalty last year at Spa for exceeding his gear box allowance and will start tomorrow’s race 11th on the grid

Verstappen (right) will need to weave his way through traffic without incident during the race

Though the track was extremely wet, the conditions were not as treacherous as some imagined they would be and Verstappen took full advantage.

His time was 0.595 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start from pole tomorrow.

After a controversial second place in the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend, Lando Norris (pictured) starts on the second row alongside Lewis Hamilton

Leclerc (left) is on pole with the under pressure Sergio Perez (right) starting second after Verstappen’s penalty

He will be joined on the front row by Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez, who overcame his recent struggles to post the third-fastest time.

It was a disappointing day for Lando Norris, who was only fifth quickest behind Lewis Hamilton, who will start the race third.