Antonelli Claims Dominant Pole at Spa as Mercedes Continue Qualifying Streak

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Kimi Antonelli continued his sensational 2026 Formula 1 campaign by securing pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix, delivering another commanding performance at Spa Francorchamps to give Mercedes their latest front-row start of the season.

The championship leader produced a stunning lap of 1:44.361 in the final moments of Q3, finishing more than three tenths of a second clear of Max Verstappen, who qualified second for Red Bull. It marked Antonelli’s sixth pole position of the season, further strengthening his grip on the Drivers’ Championship.

Verstappen extracted everything from his Red Bull to secure a front row start after showing encouraging pace throughout the weekend, but he was unable to match Antonelli’s blistering final lap.

Lando Norris initially qualified third for McLaren after another impressive performance, but a 10 place grid penalty for exceeding his allocated power unit components will drop the reigning world champion down the order for Sunday’s race. The penalty promotes George Russell to third on the starting grid, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc moving up to fourth and Lewis Hamilton, who recovered superbly from his heavy FP3 crash, starting fifth.

Qualifying featured plenty of drama, with a late yellow flag affecting several final flying laps and preventing some drivers from improving their times. Despite the interruption, Antonelli’s earlier lap remained untouchable as the Mercedes driver sealed another impressive pole.

Mercedes have now maintained their remarkable qualifying form in 2026, with Antonelli once again proving to be the benchmark over a single lap. The young Italian heads into Sunday’s race aiming to convert pole into another victory and further extend his championship advantage.

With Verstappen alongside him on the front row and Ferrari and Mercedes’ second car close behind, the Belgian Grand Prix promises an exciting battle at one of Formula 1’s most iconic circuits