F1 Spa Francorchamps 2026: Kimi Antonelli Triumphs Over Charles Leclerc

Kimi Antonelli faced a tough battle to secure victory at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix held at the iconic Spa Francorchamps circuit. Despite the challenges, Antonelli managed to fend off strong competition from Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen completing the podium.

Pre-Race Conditions

The weather in the Ardennes region was characteristically unpredictable. Although rain was on the horizon, it held off for the day, resulting in cool temperatures around 18°C. With the sun obscured, track conditions remained stable without overheating.

Carlos Sainz and Williams had to replace the battery in Sainz's car, placing him at the back of the grid alongside other drivers like Stroll, Hadjar, and Alonso. Antonelli aimed for a strong start to create a gap against competitors Verstappen and George Russell.

Sainz opted for soft tires in hopes of a quick getaway, while Perez, Stroll, Hadjar, Alonso, and Norris (starting 13th) chose hard tires for a different strategy. The rest of the grid was fitted with medium tires.

Race Start – 44 Laps

Antonelli and Verstappen both had excellent starts, with Verstappen making a bold move at the bottom of the Raidillon. Antonelli may have allowed Verstappen to pass initially, only to reclaim the lead on the Kemmel straight. Leclerc also overtook Verstappen early on. A collision between Hamilton and Russell resulted in Hamilton ending up in the gravel, bringing out the safety car.

Ocon experienced a puncture and had to navigate through the gravel. Several drivers, including Hadjar, made pit stops, with Hadjar making two stops to switch from medium to hard tires, effectively eliminating tire change concerns. The top ten consisted of Antonelli, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Hamilton, Lawson, Lindblad, Colapinto, Bortoleto, and Norris, while Gasly sat in 11th. Alonso and Stroll were in 15th and 16th, respectively, though this was likely to change.

As the safety car period ended after the fourth lap, Antonelli faced pressure from Leclerc and Verstappen. A spectacular restart was executed by Antonelli and Hamilton, with Hamilton diving into La Source. Piastri responded quickly, reclaiming his position from Leclerc. The race featured numerous overtakes, especially with the deployment of electric energy management systems.

Mid-Race Highlights

In a significant moment on lap eight, Piastri and Leclerc collided, with Leclerc appearing to overshoot and make contact. Antonelli maintained his lead over Verstappen, who was two seconds behind. Meanwhile, Hamilton received a five-second penalty for his earlier collision, complicating his race strategy.

The race saw further drama as Perez had to retire due to suspension issues, while Sainz made his first pit stop after 15 laps on soft tires.

Hadjar climbed into the top ten, showcasing impressive pace, while the race stewards drew attention to Leclerc's earlier incident with Piastri, leaving many puzzled by the lack of penalties.

Verstappen made a pit stop on lap 17 but emerged behind Hadjar, who was racing in 6th. A virtual safety car was deployed shortly after to clear debris from the track, allowing Antonelli to pit and retain his lead.

Closing Stages

As the race progressed into the later laps, Antonelli regained the lead from Leclerc on lap 34. Despite Leclerc's attempts to close the gap, Antonelli managed to pull away, maintaining a crucial buffer of over two seconds.

In the final stages, Hamilton executed a successful pass on Piastri and aimed to create a gap to avoid his penalty. Leclerc struggled to keep pace, falling behind Antonelli, while Hadjar continued to fend off challenges from Norris.

Finish

Kimi Antonelli crossed the finish line first, securing his sixth victory of the season amidst a challenging race that included a virtual safety car incident. Leclerc finished second, followed by Verstappen in third. Hamilton secured a provisional fourth place, ahead of Piastri. Hadjar's impressive drive from 21st to 6th was noteworthy, finishing ahead of Norris, Bortoleto, Lindblad, and Colapinto.

Following the race, Hamilton faced an investigation regarding his chaotic pit stop, although he ultimately avoided penalties. In contrast, Ferrari received a fine of $30,000, with $10,000 suspended for 12 months due to the chaotic pit incident involving Hamilton.

Race Results

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing)
7. Lando Norris (McLaren)
8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

Drivers' Standings

As the championship standings evolve, Antonelli leads with 204 points, followed by Hamilton at 159, and Russell at 154. Leclerc is fourth with 126 points, while Norris rounds out the top five with 103 points.