Belgian Grand Prix result: Kimi Antonelli wins to extend title lead after George Russell crashes out on first lap
Kimi Antonelli secured victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his championship lead after a first-lap collision forced teammate George Russell to retire. The race was marked by a virtual safety car period that influenced the final standings.
Why it matters
This result significantly alters the standings in the 2026 Formula 1 season, impacting the championship race.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Kimi Antonelli's victory in Belgium was his sixth grand prix win
F1 Correspondent at Spa-Francorchamps Published 19 July 2026 Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli re-established the comfortable championship lead that had been eroded in the past three races with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix while team-mate George Russell crashed out.
The Italian fought back from losing position during a virtual safety-car period to catch and pass Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for his sixth win in 10 races this season.
Russell, meanwhile, was taken out in a collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap and has dropped to third place in the standings, 50 points behind Antonelli.
Hamilton was re-promoted to second place in the championship, five points ahead of Russell, with a fourth-place finish.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the final podium place.
The key stories of a surprisingly compelling race were:
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