FIA reveal Belgium Qualifying back-up plan

The FIA has informed Formula 1 teams that Belgian Grand Prix practice times will not be used to set the grid.

With heavy rainfall expected throughout the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, teams have been told that the classification from the 60-minute session will not set the grid for either the Sprint or main Grand Prix.

This is to ensure "that teams do not treat the first session of the weekend as a competitive session," according to an FIA spokesperson.

"The priority will be to run a Qualifying session for the Grand Prix, other sessions may be cancelled or rescheduled to facilitate this, and if it is impossible to run Qualifying, then the grid will be set by championship order."

Qualifying for Sunday's main race is set to take place at 17:00pm local time at Spa, about three-and-a-half hours following the conclusion of practice, during which teams used a mixture of Intermediate and full Wet tyres.

As for the Sprint race, there is a dedicated Qualifying session due to take place on Saturday morning that sets the grid for the Sprint itself.

Under the FIA's decision, the results from practice will not be used to set the grid for either race.