Picture Credit: Twitter
The Belgian GP 2021 qualifying session was full of action and drama 0n Saturday. On a rain-marred day, the conditions at Spa-Francorchamps were literally undriveable with so much water on the track. Despite it, the F1 drivers put on a scintillating show in the first two rounds with top 10 going through to Q3.
McLaren's Lando Norris was the most impressive driver in the first two sessions, registering fastest laps. The 21-year-old was one of the leading contenders to take the pole position for Sunday's race considering the way he was acing the conditions. However, the rain started pouring before the start of Q3 and this is when things turned upside down for the youngster.
Qualification should have been red-flagged before start of Q3
Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris were the first two drivers out on track and they revealed that the track was not favourable for driving. Vettel went on to say that the session should be red-flagged without any doubt.
However, the stewards decided against it and the session continued. Few seconds later, one of the leading contenders for pole position - Lando Norris - lost control of his car and suffered a miserable crash as he went into the barriers.
"He is okay" - Vettel gives Norris' update over team radio
Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel was fuming when he was informed that Norris has crashed into the barriers and the session had subsequently being red-flagged. Despite being angry, the 34-year-old knew what he had to do as he drove ahead and stopped besides Norris' car to check if the McLaren driver was fine.
As Vettel saw him moving inside the car without any major problems, he informed over the team radio that Norris was okay. It was another brilliant moment of sportsman-spirit shown by 4-time F1 champion under extreme unforeseen circumstances.
Watch the video here:
Lando Norris sent for scans at local hospital
McLaren released an official statement after the end of qualifying session providing an update on Lando Norris. "Following his accident during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, Lando was checked at the trackside medical centre and then sent to a local hospital for a precautionary x-ray of his elbow. A further update will be issued in due course," the statement said.
