F1 Belgian GP: Kimi Antonelli beats Max Verstappen to pole by 0.317s
Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, outperforming Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. The qualifying session saw tactical use of slipstreaming and several drivers facing grid penalties.
Why it matters
Formula 1 qualifying results directly dictate the starting order for the race, significantly influencing the competitive landscape of the championship.
Kimi Antonelli clinched his sixth Formula 1 pole position of the year with the fastest lap in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317s.
The Italian continued Mercedes' lock-out of pole positions despite having to chase Verstappen's second lap, as the Dutchman made use of a "tow and a half" from Isack Hadjar - encumbered by a series of grid penalties for power unit changes - to briefly move to the top.
Antonelli then dug out three tenths over Verstappen's lap to set a 1m44.361s, which none of the remaining drivers were able to get close to across their final laps. Thus, the championship leader booked his place alongside Verstappen on the front row, who praised the efforts of Red Bull to use Hadjar for slipstreaming purposes.
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