2026 Belgian Grand Prix Results: Antonelli Extends Championship Lead After Dramatic Spa Victory

Kimi Antonelli delivered another major statement in the 2026 Formula 1 title race by winning a dramatic Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Mercedes driver converted pole position into victory after a tense strategy battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while Max Verstappen secured the final podium position for Red Bull Racing.

Antonelli’s victory became even more important after his Mercedes teammate and championship rival George Russell retired following an opening-lap collision involving Lewis Hamilton.

The result allowed Antonelli to strengthen his position at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and leave Belgium with a 45-point advantage over Hamilton.

2026 Belgian Grand Prix Top 10 Results

Position	Driver	Team
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

Antonelli claimed the sixth victory of his 2026 campaign, with Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton following him across the line. Piastri completed the top five, while Hadjar produced one of the standout drives of the race by recovering to sixth after starting from the back of the field.

Antonelli Controls the Race From Pole

Antonelli entered Sunday’s race as the clear favorite after securing pole position by more than three tenths of a second over Verstappen during qualifying.

The Mercedes driver had also topped both second and third practice, demonstrating strong pace throughout the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

However, his path to victory was not completely straightforward.

Leclerc temporarily moved ahead after Ferrari took advantage of a virtual safety car period to make a strategically timed pit stop. The Ferrari driver maintained the lead through the middle stages, forcing Antonelli to close the gap on track.

Antonelli eventually reclaimed first place with approximately 10 laps remaining and controlled the closing stages to secure another crucial victory.

Russell’s Title Challenge Suffers a Major Blow

The race changed dramatically on the opening lap when Russell and Hamilton made contact at Les Combes.

Russell was forced out of the race following the incident, dealing a significant blow to his championship hopes. The Mercedes driver had arrived at Spa only 25 points behind Antonelli following several strong results before the summer break.

Hamilton received a five-second penalty for his involvement but recovered to finish fourth.

The Ferrari driver was also investigated following an unsafe pit release during which a mechanic was knocked over. The mechanic was reported to be uninjured.

Mercedes later acknowledged that Russell had also been affected by an electrical energy deployment problem, which reduced his straight-line performance before the collision.

Leclerc Takes Second for Ferrari

Leclerc delivered a competitive performance for Ferrari and briefly appeared capable of challenging for victory.

Ferrari’s decision to pit during the virtual safety car placed Leclerc in the lead, but Antonelli’s stronger pace eventually proved decisive.

Second place nevertheless represented another important result for Ferrari as the team continues to chase Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.

Hamilton’s fourth-place finish also meant Ferrari left Spa with both cars scoring strong points, despite the chaotic opening lap and post-race investigations.

Verstappen Reaches Another Red Bull Milestone

Verstappen completed the podium in third place after another consistent performance for Red Bull.

The result marked Red Bull Racing’s 300th Formula 1 podium, adding another milestone to the team’s history.

Although Verstappen was unable to challenge Antonelli for victory, his result helped maintain Red Bull’s presence near the front during a season dominated by the Mercedes and Ferrari championship battle.

Hadjar Produces a Standout Recovery Drive

Isack Hadjar produced one of the best recovery performances of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Starting at the back of the grid, the Red Bull driver progressed through the field to finish sixth, ahead of Lando Norris.

Hadjar’s result added valuable points for Red Bull and demonstrated the team’s competitive race pace at Spa.

Difficult Belgian Grand Prix for McLaren

McLaren endured a relatively quiet afternoon compared with its leading rivals.

Piastri finished fifth, while Norris recovered to seventh following a slow pit stop.

Although both drivers scored points, McLaren was unable to match the pace of Mercedes, Ferrari or Verstappen at the front of the race.

The result underlined how the competitive order has changed during the opening phase of the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations.

Antonelli Strengthens His Championship Position

The Belgian Grand Prix could prove to be a decisive moment in the 2026 title race.

Antonelli arrived at Spa leading Russell by 25 points. After winning the race while Russell failed to score, the Italian significantly strengthened his advantage.

Following the Belgian Grand Prix, Antonelli held a 45-point championship lead over Hamilton, with Russell dropping behind following his retirement.

Antonelli has now won six of the opening 10 races of the season, including five victories from pole position.

That consistency has established the young Mercedes driver as the clear favorite for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.

Mercedes Maintains Constructors’ Championship Advantage

Antonelli’s victory helped Mercedes preserve a 73-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.

Russell’s retirement prevented Mercedes from maximizing its result, while Ferrari secured a major points haul through Leclerc and Hamilton.

The championship battle therefore remains open, particularly if Ferrari can continue producing competitive performances during the second half of the season.

What Comes Next for Formula 1?

Formula 1 will now turn its attention to the next stage of the European season.

Antonelli leaves Spa with increased momentum, but Ferrari’s strong performance suggests that Leclerc and Hamilton could remain serious threats during the remaining races.

Russell, meanwhile, faces the challenge of recovering from one of the most damaging weekends of his championship campaign.

With Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren all capable of fighting near the front, the 2026 championship battle remains far from settled.

Key Takeaways

• Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix from pole position.
• Charles Leclerc finished second after briefly leading through pit strategy.
• Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull Racing.
• Lewis Hamilton finished fourth despite receiving a five-second penalty.
• George Russell retired following an opening-lap collision involving Hamilton.
• Isack Hadjar recovered from the back of the grid to finish sixth.
• Antonelli now leads the Drivers’ Championship by 45 points over Hamilton.
• Mercedes maintains a 73-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix?

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes after starting from pole position.

Who finished on the Belgian Grand Prix podium?

Antonelli finished first, Charles Leclerc took second and Max Verstappen completed the podium in third.

What happened to George Russell at Spa?

Russell retired following an opening-lap collision involving Lewis Hamilton at Les Combes.

Where did Lewis Hamilton finish?

Hamilton finished fourth for Ferrari despite receiving a five-second time penalty.

How many races has Antonelli won in 2026?

Antonelli has won six of the opening 10 races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Who leads the 2026 F1 Drivers’ Championship?

Antonelli leads the championship by 45 points over Hamilton following the Belgian Grand Prix.