Kimi Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes to strengthen his Formula 1 title lead, while teammate and title rival George Russell was knocked out on the opening lap after a clash with Lewis Hamilton.
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Key facts
- Kimi Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes.
- It was Antonelli's sixth Grand Prix win of the 2026 season, according to Al Jazeera.
- Antonelli now holds a 50-point championship lead over teammate George Russell, according to the Guardian.
- Russell crashed out on the opening lap after a clash with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
- Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli re-established a comfortable championship lead by winning the Belgian Grand Prix, while team-mate George Russell crashed out, according to the BBC.
The Guardian reported that Antonelli delivered a cool, assured drive from the front, extending his advantage over Russell to 50 points in the title race. Al Jazeera noted the victory was Antonelli’s sixth Grand Prix win of the 2026 season.
Antonelli’s win included a fightback against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had taken the lead through the pit stops before Antonelli reclaimed the front, according to the Guardian. Leclerc ultimately finished second.
The race was overshadowed by Russell’s early exit. The British driver was knocked out on the opening lap following a clash with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, dealing another serious blow to his championship challenge, the Guardian reported.
Russell was left distraught by the incident and, according to the Guardian, took aim at his Mercedes team and what he sees as a weakness in his car following the retirement.
The result tightens Antonelli’s grip on the drivers’ title as the season continues, with his lead over his closest rival now standing at 50 points.
Why it matters
With Antonelli now 50 points clear of his own teammate, Mercedes faces an increasingly one-sided intra-team title fight. Russell's early crash and his criticism of the team point to growing tension inside the garage as the championship battle unfolds.
Frequently asked questions
How many points does Antonelli lead by?
According to the Guardian, Antonelli holds a 50-point championship lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Why did George Russell crash out?
Russell was knocked out on the opening lap after a clash with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, according to the Guardian.
Who finished second in the Belgian Grand Prix?
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second, having briefly led through the pit stops before Antonelli reclaimed the front, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix to extend F1 championship lead
Al Jazeera: Mercedes driver won his sixth GP of 2026 as championship rival and teammate George Russell crashes out on first lap.
- Kimi Antonelli tightens F1 title grip with Belgian GP win after Russell crashes out
The Guardian Sport: Russell out on opening lap after clash with Hamilton Antonelli has 50-point lead on Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes with a cool, assured drive but his title rival and teammate George Russell was left distraught after his championship chall
- Antonelli wins to extend lead after Russell crashes out
BBC Sport: Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli re-established a comfortable championship lead with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix while team-mate George Russell crashed out.