Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix to extend F1 championship lead

Kimi Antonelli secured victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his Formula One world championship lead to 45 points over Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver claimed his sixth win of the 2026 season at Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit known for its challenging layout and unpredictable weather conditions. His triumph came amid a disastrous start for his teammate and closest title rival, George Russell, who crashed out on the first lap following a collision with Hamilton. The race began with high stakes, as Russell had been Antonelli's primary competitor entering the weekend. However, the British driver's hopes were dashed early when he spun off the track after contact with Hamilton during the initial laps. This incident immediately shifted the dynamics of the championship battle, giving Antonelli a crucial advantage. Antonelli's victory was not without challenges. Despite starting from pole position, he faced a setback when a virtual safety car was deployed following the crash involving Russell and Hamilton. This allowed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to take the lead briefly before being overtaken by Antonelli. Leclerc ultimately finished second, 1.952 seconds behind the Mercedes driver, marking his first podium finish of the season. Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen rounded out the podium in third place, securing his team's 300th Formula One podium. Hamilton, despite finishing fourth, faces potential consequences from the collision with Russell. He served a five-second penalty for the incident and is under investigation for an unsafe release from a pit stop, which could result in a drop to fifth place. This would further widen the gap between Antonelli and Hamilton in the championship standings. Antonelli expressed relief and satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the difficulties faced in recent races. "It’s great to be back on the top step after a few difficult rounds," he stated. "We lost first place with the VSC but then we managed to make our way back. The momentum was always there. It was just about getting the results." Other notable performances included McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who finished fifth, and Isack Hadjar, who climbed from last on the grid to secure sixth place for Red Bull. Reigning champion Lando Norris, starting 13th due to a 10-place grid drop, finished seventh for McLaren. Gabriel Bortoleto contributed points for Audi in eighth place, with Arvid Lindblad ninth for Racing Bulls and Argentine Franco Colapinto completing the scoring in 10th place for Renault-owned Alpine. The Belgian Grand Prix marked another milestone for Mercedes, continuing their dominance in pole positions this season. Antonelli's consistent performance has solidified his position at the forefront of the championship, with the upcoming races set to determine whether he can maintain his lead or face renewed competition from other teams.