Antonelli Triumphs in a Tight Belgian Grand Prix Battle
Kimi Antonelli clinched victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Charles Leclerc, while Max Verstappen secured third. The race saw early drama with George Russell's retirement and a penalty for Lewis Hamilton.
The tenth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolded at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where Kimi Antonelli showcased his skill by taking the top spot on the podium. His victory came after a tense duel with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who finished just under two seconds behind. Max Verstappen completed the podium places, making it a solid day for Red Bull.
The race didn't start smoothly for everyone, particularly George Russell, who retired on the first lap following a collision with his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, despite receiving a five-second penalty for the incident, managed to finish fourth, just ahead of Oscar Piastri.
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were also among the race's casualties, both failing to see the chequered flag.
As the teams prepare to head to Budapest, Antonelli holds a 45-point lead over Hamilton in the championship standings. His winning streak now includes six victories from the first ten races, suggesting that he is the driver to beat this season.
Ferrari remains a formidable force, with Leclerc's performance underscoring their competitiveness. The team benefitted from a well-timed pit stop under Virtual Safety Car (VSC) conditions, which helped Leclerc briefly take the lead from Antonelli.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's third-place finish signals Red Bull's steady progress back to the front of the grid after a sluggish start to the season. Verstappen was philosophical about his race, acknowledging the VSC's impact but content with a podium finish.
In the midfield, there was plenty of action too. Drivers like Oliver Colapinto and Dino Beganovic made notable moves to secure points, contributing to a tight battle for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship between Alpine and Racing Bulls.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed support for Russell, describing his crash as a racing incident and highlighting the team's collective responsibility for mistakes. Wolff also praised Antonelli for his deserved victory, noting his strong performance throughout the weekend.
As the F1 circus moves to Hungary, all eyes will be on Antonelli to see if he can maintain his momentum and extend his championship lead even further.