... and now Lewis Hamilton's record-equalling pole position...
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Spa-Francorchamps has seen some special moments in Formula 1.
Will Sunday's race deliver another one? Join us at 11:30 BST to find out.
Post update
Fernando Alonso's day ended in disappointment as he lost power at the end of Q2, scuppering his chances of progressing to the top 10 shootout.
"Q3 was possible," he says. "The team did a fantastic job. We tried to take benefit from Stoffel's penalty for the other car to take some slipstream but then in the wrong moment we had a problem.
"It was a positive day and surprise to us how competitive we were. It doesn't change the situation much. We are still lacking the same things. We are working everyday to improve the situation and we will see some good signs in the next few races."
Post update
More from Lewis Hamilton: "This is a perfect way to start the weekend. The second half of the season is going to be tough but we are geared up for it."
The key to Hamilton's pole was arguably a stupendous effort through the middle sector of the lap at the demanding Spa-Francorchamps track in the Ardennes mountains.
The Ferrari had been quicker than the Mercedes through sector two throughout the weekend but Hamilton pulled something out of the bag on his final run to set the pace there by 0.2secs.
The stage is set for a titanic battle between title rivals Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in the race, which Vettel starts 14 points ahead of Hamilton.
Jeremiah Kariuki: Sunday is the big day. Two of the best, the season leading two on the front row! That adds to the flavour of the race day.
'A perfect job by Lewis'
Valtteri Bottas, third in qualifying: "I was aiming for pole position but Lewis has been doing a perfect job all week and to be honest I was struggling."
Post update
Lewis Hamilton's stunning lap overshadowed just how good Sebastian Vettel's was. The German improved significantly but Hamilton was simply untouchable.
Two of the very best at the top of their game. Wonderful.
Post update
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Sebastian Vettel, second in qualifying: "The last lap the car was more alive, I was lucky with Kimi who aborted the lap and he gave me a nice tow to get on to the front row."
'Like a dream'
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Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position: "Big shout out to the fans here. I can't believe it. A big thank you to my team, Ross Brawn was a big part of that. This is one of my favourite circuits so to put a lap together like that is like a dream.
"To hear that message Ross just gave, a big thank you. I pray for Michael and his family all the time. I have always admired him and still do today. I am honoured to be there with him now on the pole positions but he will still be one of the greatest of all time."
'Records are there to be broken'
Ross Brawn goes out onto the track to congratulate Lewis Hamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher's record of 68 career pole positions.
"I am here to deliver a special message from the Schumacher family who want to congratulate you on equalling Schumacher's record," says Brawn.
"Schumacher always said records are there to be beaten and they want to say a special thanks."
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Post update
Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
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Lewis Hamilton delivered that killer blow in the middle sector. It was a phenomenal lap. However, Sebastian Vettel's final lap, it was close enough just to keep him and Hamilton focused. Tomorrow is going to be a good day.
Post update
Lewis Hamilton climbs out of his car, kneels at the front of it and pats the nose like you would a horse. His trusty steed has truly delivered today.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Qualifying top 10
1) Hamilton
2) Vettel
3) Bottas
4) Raikkonen
5) Verstappen
6) Ricciardo
7) Hulkenberg
8) Perez
9) Ocon
10) Palmer
Get involved #bbcf1
Rachel T: Very, very special from HAM - Britain's finest!
Chequered flag
LEWIS HAMILTON SECURES POLE POSITION FOR THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX, EQUALLING MICHAEL SCHUMACHER'S RECORD OF 68 CAREER POLES.
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Sebastian Vettel improves but not enough! He's second quickest, two tenths down on Lewis Hamilton.
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Post update
Valtteri Bottas goes second quickest for now, half a second down on Lewis Hamilton...
Post update
WOW!!
Unbelievable lap by Lewis Hamilton! It's a 1:42.553 and surely there's no chance anyone is beating that.
Monster lap.
Post update
Lewis Hamilton is fastest of all through the middle sector...
Live Reporting
Gary Rose
All times stated are UK
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Latest PostSpecial Spa
From Michael Schumacher's debut...
... to the legendary German's first race win...
... and now Lewis Hamilton's record-equalling pole position...
Spa-Francorchamps has seen some special moments in Formula 1.
Will Sunday's race deliver another one? Join us at 11:30 BST to find out.
Post update
Fernando Alonso's day ended in disappointment as he lost power at the end of Q2, scuppering his chances of progressing to the top 10 shootout.
"Q3 was possible," he says. "The team did a fantastic job. We tried to take benefit from Stoffel's penalty for the other car to take some slipstream but then in the wrong moment we had a problem.
"It was a positive day and surprise to us how competitive we were. It doesn't change the situation much. We are still lacking the same things. We are working everyday to improve the situation and we will see some good signs in the next few races."
Post update
More from Lewis Hamilton: "This is a perfect way to start the weekend. The second half of the season is going to be tough but we are geared up for it."
Post update
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps
The key to Hamilton's pole was arguably a stupendous effort through the middle sector of the lap at the demanding Spa-Francorchamps track in the Ardennes mountains.
The Ferrari had been quicker than the Mercedes through sector two throughout the weekend but Hamilton pulled something out of the bag on his final run to set the pace there by 0.2secs.
The stage is set for a titanic battle between title rivals Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in the race, which Vettel starts 14 points ahead of Hamilton.
Read Andrew's full report here.
Post update
Get involved #bbcf1
Jeremiah Kariuki: Sunday is the big day. Two of the best, the season leading two on the front row! That adds to the flavour of the race day.
'A perfect job by Lewis'
Valtteri Bottas, third in qualifying: "I was aiming for pole position but Lewis has been doing a perfect job all week and to be honest I was struggling."
Post update
Lewis Hamilton's stunning lap overshadowed just how good Sebastian Vettel's was. The German improved significantly but Hamilton was simply untouchable.
Two of the very best at the top of their game. Wonderful.
Post update
Sebastian Vettel, second in qualifying: "The last lap the car was more alive, I was lucky with Kimi who aborted the lap and he gave me a nice tow to get on to the front row."
'Like a dream'
Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position: "Big shout out to the fans here. I can't believe it. A big thank you to my team, Ross Brawn was a big part of that. This is one of my favourite circuits so to put a lap together like that is like a dream.
"To hear that message Ross just gave, a big thank you. I pray for Michael and his family all the time. I have always admired him and still do today. I am honoured to be there with him now on the pole positions but he will still be one of the greatest of all time."
'Records are there to be broken'
Ross Brawn goes out onto the track to congratulate Lewis Hamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher's record of 68 career pole positions.
"I am here to deliver a special message from the Schumacher family who want to congratulate you on equalling Schumacher's record," says Brawn.
"Schumacher always said records are there to be beaten and they want to say a special thanks."
Post update
Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
Lewis Hamilton delivered that killer blow in the middle sector. It was a phenomenal lap. However, Sebastian Vettel's final lap, it was close enough just to keep him and Hamilton focused. Tomorrow is going to be a good day.
Post update
Lewis Hamilton climbs out of his car, kneels at the front of it and pats the nose like you would a horse. His trusty steed has truly delivered today.
Qualifying top 10
1) Hamilton
2) Vettel
3) Bottas
4) Raikkonen
5) Verstappen
6) Ricciardo
7) Hulkenberg
8) Perez
9) Ocon
10) Palmer
Get involved #bbcf1
Rachel T: Very, very special from HAM - Britain's finest!
Chequered flag
LEWIS HAMILTON SECURES POLE POSITION FOR THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX, EQUALLING MICHAEL SCHUMACHER'S RECORD OF 68 CAREER POLES.
Post update
Sebastian Vettel improves but not enough! He's second quickest, two tenths down on Lewis Hamilton.
Post update
Valtteri Bottas goes second quickest for now, half a second down on Lewis Hamilton...
Post update
WOW!!
Unbelievable lap by Lewis Hamilton! It's a 1:42.553 and surely there's no chance anyone is beating that.
Monster lap.
Post update
Lewis Hamilton is fastest of all through the middle sector...