After a dominant weekend, Kimi Antonelli claims his sixth pole of the season in Qualifying at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix
The current championship leader stormed to the front of the field in the final minutes ahead of Max Verstappen, who will start tomorrow’s Grand Prix from second. While Lando Norris finished third on track, a looming grid penalty will promote George Russell onto the second row.
So far this Weekend…
Formula 1 returned to Belgium and the drivers were out in force at the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. In an unusually dry session for Free Practice 1, it was Max Verstappen topped the timesheets. The former World Champion was followed closely by the Ferrari duo with Lewis Hamilton slotting into second ahead of Charles Leclerc.
For Free Practice 2, it was the Championship leader who was back on top. Kimi Antonelli edged out Lando Norris and Verstappen in a chaotic session. The final Free Practice produced the same results with Antonelli edging out Norris and Verstappen while a trip through the gravel left lots of work for Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari.
Early Bets for Pole
It was Verstappen who set the early pace in Q1 of Qualifying at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix. Clocking a 1:45.930, the Dutchman was almost four tenths tenths clear of the Mercedes duo in second and third.
As the field began to complete their flying laps, it was Arvid Lindblad who produced a phenomenal lap, slotting him into second before he dropped behind Isack Hadjar. Norris was next onto the top of the timings, going 0.065s clear of Verstappen.
With seven minutes left in the opening qualifying, the field was back in the garage. While Norris and the two Red Bulls chose to remain in their garages, the rest of the field battled it out for the top 16. George Russell was the first to move up, claiming fourth off Lindblad. Leclerc secured sixth ahead of Antonelli.
The final flying laps launched both Alpine’s comfortabley inside the top 16 ahead of Nico Hulkenburg, Carlos Sainz and Ollie Bearman. Alex Albon failed to make it into Q2 ahead of Esteban Ocon in 18th. Both Cadillacs outpaced the Aston Martin pair at the back of the field.
Norris backs up for Q2
With green flags out for Q2, the remaining 16 drivers were out to top the timesheet. Antonelli was the first to drop a new time, clocking a 1:45.142. Russell followed closely behind while both alpines were over 1.2s behind.
With eight minutes on the clock, Verstappen and Piastri split the Mercedes, before Lindblad slotted himself into the top three. Norris and Leclerc both edged Verstappen out of second as Russell tumbled towards the bottom of the top ten. Hadjar slotted into ninth ahead of Bortoleto in tenth.
Heading into the final five minutes of Q2, it was Liam Lawson who led Pierre Gasly and Hulkenburg, while France Colapinto, Sainz and Bearman trailed at the back of the field. Hadjar was the first to complete his flying lap, however he was unable to improve.
While Colapinto improved, he only managed 13th. With it clear the track wasn’t improving, many of the drivers who went back out were staying in their earlier positions. Lawson failed to qualify into Q3 by 0.038s behind Bortoleto.
Following the end of Q2, Hulkenburg pulled off to the side, his cat coming to a stop. With a delay to the final section of qualifying, the top ten drivers would have to wait to fight for pole.
Pure Class from Antonelli
With only ten drivers on track, it was Hadjar who was first on track. The Frenchman who has shown consistency in qualifying this season was forced to abort his lap. However, Red Bull teammate Verstappen jumped to the top of the timesheet with a 1:44.984, Antonelli then bettered this by one tenth.
With the times rapidly dropping it was Leclerc who dropped into second. Norris, who faces a grid penalty this weekend, claimed provisional pole after the first runnings, edging out Antonelli by half a tenth.
With six minutes on the clock, the Red Flag was brought out after gravel was brought onto the track at Stavelot. Once clear, the grid was free to set their final flying laps. Verstappen was first out of the garage, keeping his Red Bull clean into his flying lap.
While the former World Champion was edging ahead of Norris’ time, Antonelli and Russell were behind and going quicker. Crossing the line Antonelli went ahead of Verstappen while Russell was forced to settle for fourth. The Ferrari’s of Leclerc and Hamilton claimed fifth and sixth, while Piastri edged out Lindblad for seventh. With Hadjar once again having to abort his lap, he was left down in tenth behind Bortoleto.
As the checkered flag waved, it was Antonelli who claimed his sixth pole position of the season. Verstappen will start tomorrow’s Grand Prix from second after receiving a tow from his teammate. While Norris finished third on track, a looming grid penalty will promote Russell onto the second row.
While the grid was initially determined in qualifying, multiple drivers, including Norris, have received grid penalties for this weekend. With many power unit replacements and cooler temperatures tomorrow, expect the grid to be slightly different.
Formula 1 returns tomorrow for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at 3pm track time.
Feature Image Credit: Formula 1