What a wonderful place is Spa-Francorchamps. The circuit exudes atmosphere and history, the memories of brilliant races and wonderful moments piling in upon us as we view the swooping curves, the steep gradients amongst the forested hills of the Ardennes. I cannot see the Eau Rouge corner without instantly recalling the sight of Andrea de Cesaris at the very limit of adhesion, powering through the dip and up the hill in the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 183T, leading the race (and the field for dead) and apparently unbeatable.
Giancarlo Fisichella
That was one of the most unlikely scenarios ever seen in F1, de Cesaris and the Alfa both being regarded as quick but hopelessly unpredictable and fragile. On that day, however, Andrea was magnificent, especially through Eau Rouge, never putting a foot wrong although on the razor edge of disaster; it was one of those great injustices of life that the Alfa should have remained true to its reputation, the engine going bang just as we began to think it possible that de Cesaris might win this one.
How fitting then that this great circuit should provide us with another example of the impossible happening before our eyes. Another Italian, Giancarlo Fisichella, has astounded us all by putting his Force India into pole position. We knew the car had been getting better all season and this weekend it has been right up there at the sharp end in practice, but who would have guessed that old Fizzy would have the beating of the entire field? If Brawn's early season success was a fairy tale, this was the stuff of sheer fantasy.
I am a sucker for the underdog and I smiled as the great ones failed to get near Fisichella's time. Alianora, long a supporter of the team in its various disguises, must have raised her household's metaphorical roof when it became clear that her hopes had been answered at last. Regardless of fuel loads, this was an achievement to be treasured in memory.
The Toyotas, too, came good on this high speed track, and Jarno Trulli reminded us of his qualifying reputation by grabbing second fastest. Indeed, it was veterans' day out, Nick Heidfeld too showing his younger team mate the way as he put the BMW into third spot. If the three were to finish in that order, it would be the oldest podium F1 has seen in many a year.
We wait to see how much influence light fuel loads had on this most unlikely of grids but, for a moment, there is no harm in savoring a season that can produce as many upsets as has 2009. Let those who complained of the predictability of Button's wins in the first few races remember that nothing is guaranteed in F1. Jenson himself found it impossible to get the best from the BGP 001 and languishes down in 14th spot. How the mighty are fallen.
He was not the only one, however, names such as Hamilton and Alonso being amongst those who failed to progress beyond Q2. The blame fell on sector 2, all of the top three cars being quick through its twists whereas the McLarens, Ferraris, Renaults and Red Bulls lost great chunks of time in that part of the circuit.
It now looks as though Barrichello is Button's greatest threat for the championship, the Brazilian's fourth spot promising a good points haul. And the Red Bull challenge fades as Vettel and Webber could manage no better than eighth and ninth on the grid. Spa may be only one race but Monza looms in the future and form there is likely to be similar.
All things considered, this was the most exciting and interesting qualifying period we have seen all year - and there have been some great ones. We thought F1 had been shaken up when Brawn emerged so far ahead as the season began but it seems the shaking has not stopped. All we need now is for Fizzy or Quick Nick to win the race...