Both Ferrari drivers voiced concern at the "worrying" pace of Max Verstappen in qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix.

While he will start the race from 15th due to engine-related grid penalties, the world champion set the fastest time on Saturday, six-tenths clear of Carlos Sainz.

And the Spaniard admits Ferrari needs to find out why the Red Bull has seemingly extended its performance advantage around Spa Francorchamps.

"Happy to be starting on pole obviously," Sainz said via Sky Sports. "Not so happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap that Red Bull has on us.

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"We need to keep digging to see why Red Bull is so fast around this track. But to start from pole is a good place to start and we will try and win from there tomorrow."

Such was Verstappen's lead in qualifying, many are tipping him to be in contention for victory on Sunday despite his lowly start position.

"It makes me wonder what's going to happen tomorrow in the race because I think our race pace is a bit better than our quali pace," a "puzzled" Sainz added.

"But there's definitely something there to find."

That view was shared by Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who will start one place behind Verstappen in 16th due to his own grid penalties.

Asked if he could still fight for victory on Sunday, the Monegasque said: “There’s some potential obviously because we didn’t prepare qualifying as much as we normally do, but when you see the gap to Max, it’s quite a bit worrying.

“They are extremely quick and it’s been the case since the beginning of the weekend and we kind of think like ‘why so?’

“So we need to work – we will try our best tomorrow but they seem to have found something this weekend.

“They are way too fast. There’s nothing we could have done, nothing that would have changed anything for our starting positions more.

“We had to beat Max in qualifying but today that’s just not the case. Just not at their level.

“On the race pace, it seems both of our cars are much closer, or at least it was the case yesterday [in free practice]," Leclerc added.

“But let’s wait and see because a gap like this in qualifying, it would be strange if we are as fast as them in the race.

“So let’s see. I mean, it’s all right.”

Saturday also saw another Ferrari fumble as Leclerc questioned why he was sent out on new tyres in Q3, only to be told it was a "mistake".

"No, I think there was a miscommunication, it wasn’t a big deal,” he said of any frustration at another error.

“Obviously I mentioned it because I was a bit surprised, but yeah, it doesn’t change anything anyway for the rest of the weekend.”