Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix to extend title lead
- On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps with a 1:44.361 lap, finishing 0.317 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen to claim his sixth pole of the season.
- Red Bull utilized Isack Hadjar to provide a slipstream tow for Max Verstappen during the final Q3 session, a tactical maneuver designed to boost performance while Hadjar prepares to start from the back due to power-unit penalties.
- Lando Norris, McLaren driver, qualified third yet will start Sunday's race from 13th position after receiving a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine part allocation, significantly reshuffling the Belgian Grand Prix starting order.
- Briefly red-flagged after Oscar Piastri kicked up gravel at Stavelot, the session allowed Lewis Hamilton to qualify sixth in his Ferrari after mechanics repaired a machine described as "destroyed" by the seven-time champion.
- Racing begins at 1400 on Sunday, with Kimi Antonelli seeking to extend his 25-point championship lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who starts third on the grid following the redistribution caused by multiple power-unit penalties.
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Another author brush stroke. Perhaps the most authoritative and mature performance of his very green career. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, still a teenager and only in the second season between...
Shortly before the season half-time, the teenager dominates Formula 1 in the Mercedes – and is the favourite on the World Cup title.
Spa-Francorchamps., Kimi Antonelli increased his lead in the Formula 1 world championship after yesterday winning the Belgian Grand Prix, in which his Mercedes partner and title rival, British George Russell, abandoned, as did Mexican Sergio Checo Pérez (Cadillac).
Kimi Antonelli Wins Belgian GP As Title Lead Hits 45 Points
[Image: Official Kimi Antonelli / Facebook] The spa gave Kimi Antonelli a sixth win of the season and a title lead that suddenly looks decidedly threatening to everyone chasing him. Continuing his dream start to the season, Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix while George Russell crashed out on lap one. The 19-year-old Italian finished 1.952 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after Leclerc had briefly moved ahead through a pit stop unde…
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