Verstappen reigned supreme throughout qualifying but the Dutchman’s 10-place grid penalty for an engine change means he will line up from only 11th on the grid.

His demotion elevates Leclerc to the sharp end with Sergio Perez second, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Lando Norris will start fourth in his McLaren.

Verstappen has been bumped down the order for taking on his fifth internal combustion engine of the season here, one more than the four he is allowed.

But the field will be looking over their shoulder during Sunday’s 44-lap race with the world champion, a winner of the last three races staged in the Ardennes, on a different level to his peers.

Verstappen was 1.4 seconds faster than any other driver – and two seconds clear of Perez in the other Red Bull – after the 20 drivers had completed their opening efforts on a damp surface

And although Verstappen’s advantage by the end wasn’t quite as emphatic, with Leclerc 0.595 sec adrift, the Dutch driver proved just why he should not be written off ahead of Sunday’s race.