Formula 1

Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian GP from Leclerc as Russell crashes out

Fraser Masefield
3 months ago
5 min read

Kimi Antonelli notched a sixth F1 victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix, winning from Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen as teammate and title rival George Russell crashed out.


Whilst at the British Grand Prix it was Antonelli who suffered late heartbreak, this time it was Russell who suffered disappointment, beaching in the gravel on the opening lap after minor contact with Lewis Hamilton.

And this time, Antonelli’s Mercedes held up in terms of reliability to allow him to cruise to a sixth victory of the season.

“It was a hard-fought race,” said Antonelli afterwards. “You know, we lost obviously the first place with the Virtual Safety Car.

“But then we managed to make our way back and yeah, it was a tough win because Charles was quick and we had to hold on to that.”

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THE TALE OF THE RACE

The majority of the field started on the medium compound tyre, pointing to a two-stop strategy in this 44-lap race on the longest circuit on the calendar.

Of the front runners starting out of position due to grid penalties, Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar sensibly opted to go longer on the hard tyre on the opening stint.


Starting from his sixth pole position of the season, it was Antonelli who emerged in front in the short run to Turn 1 with Verstappen and Russell in close pursuit.

As the top two tussled for position, it was disaster behind for the Brits vying to close the championship gap, Russell and Hamilton touching and sending the Mercedes beached into the gravel.

“I just got totally swallowed up down the straight and lost three positions but a racing incident. Just very disappointed,” commented Russell to Sky Sports F1.

It meant that an early Safety Car led to a flurry of pit stops and upon resumption it was Antonelli who led from Leclerc, Verstappen and Piastri – Hamilton still in contention despite that bump with Russell but under investigation.

Following a few intriguing laps of charge and boost racing, Verstappen made a brave move stick on Leclerc through Eau Rouge to take second place.

Behind them, a mighty scrap ensued with Piastri losing part of his front wing in contact with Leclerc.

It led to Hamilton getting through on the Kemmel straight but then being slapped with a 5s penalty for his part in the Russell collision.

Despite Leclerc also in danger of a penalty, the Ferraris continued to close on Verstappen.

With no further action deemed necessary against Leclerc, the all-important pitstop window loomed large. It would almost certainly decide the positions behind Antonelli.

Verstappen was first in on lap 18 to pit for hard Pirellis to take him to the end, Red Bull opting for the undercut.

Antonelli followed a lap later for his only stop followed by the Ferraris and with McLaren on differing strategies.

Belgian Grand Prix – Jiri Krenek

A VSC on lap 20 meant the Ferraris boxed to take advantage and when the dust finally settled, it was Antonelli who the Ferrari duo and Verstappen.

Having served his penalty, Hamilton finally passed Piastri to get into the top four, but time ran out for him to challenge his old rival for third.

“Well, I believed in the win until the end,” said Leclerc. “We had a little bit of luck, obviously with the VSC at the right time for us.

“But the pace was relatively strong. There have been some 5, 6 laps on the hard where I’ve been struggling with the front axle. And then it came back a little bit. I felt better with the car.”

It all means that Antonelli leads the championship standings by a substantial 45 points from Hamilton and Russell a further five points behind at the halfway mark of the season.

For Verstappen, another podium means he makes further points inroads into the McLarens of Norris and Piastri.

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“I tried everything I could in the race,” added Verstappen. “I mean, the first stint wasn’t too bad, second stint probably a little bit more difficult.

“But at the same time also I think Kimi and I, we got a little bit unlucky with the VSC as well. So I think for us to be on the podium is very good.”

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Fraser Masefield

Fraser is a sports and motorsports editor with over 25 years experience. The former head editor of WilliamsF1, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Racing and Virgin Media, he has also worked for Autosport, ESPNF1 and Eurosport amongst others.

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