Kimi Antonelli Bests Charles Leclerc to Win the Belgian Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli returned to the winner’s circle with his sixth victory of the season in the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. The 19-year-old held off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen to secure the victory by almost two seconds.

“It’s great to be back on the top step after obviously a few difficult rounds,” Antonelli said. “Was a hard-fought race. We lost first place with a VSC but then we managed to make our way back. Was a tough win because Charles was quick and we had to hold onto it.”

Verstappen, who earned his third podium of the season, tried to jump out to an early lead through Eau Rouge on the opening lap, but was unable to stay ahead.

While Antonelli jumped out to the lead, his Merecdes AMG teammate George Russell would make early contact with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. This contact spun Russell into the gravel, resulting in a DNF and title implications. Other DNFs from the event include Sergio Perez of Cadillac and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin.

Other notable finishers came from within the top-10 and included the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and defending world champion Lando Norris. Both would come home in fifth and seventh respectively as Norris initially began in 13th after a grid penalty. Rookie Isack Hadjar fell in between with another solid run in sixth. Audi’s F1 Team found themselves in eighth with Gabriel Bortoleto, Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls in ninth, and Franco Colapinto rounding out in 10th for Alpine.

Hamilton now jumps to second in the standings just 45 points behind Antonelli with Russell sliding back to third, with Leclerc and Norris rounding out the top five.

Official Results: