Kimi Antonelli takes stunning Belgian GP pole as Verstappen joins front row

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli delivered a scintillating performance to claim pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, leaving his teammate and title rival George Russell trailing in fourth, more than half a second adrift. The Italian, who leads the championship by 25 points over Russell, secured his sixth pole of the season with a blistering lap at Spa-Francorchamps.

Antonelli beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds, with the four-time world champion benefiting from a tow from his teammate Isack Hadjar, who had a 30-place grid penalty for taking a new engine. Despite the help, Verstappen could not match Antonelli’s pace. “It was definitely helping me,” Verstappen said. “Isack, knowing he had a penalty and would be starting at the back, he helped me. I will be looking in my mirrors tomorrow. But we are happy to be on the front row with how we executed it as a team.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris was an impressive third, 0.440 seconds back, despite bailing on his final lap. However, the world champion will start 13th due to a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his allowance of engine parts. “We haven’t changed anything, we are just a little quicker here,” Norris said. “It’s a shame we are not starting here but there is plenty of opportunity, it is a long race and it’s good for overtaking, hopefully we can put on a good show tomorrow.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fifth and sixth, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and the upgraded Racing Bull of British rookie Arvid Lindblad. Antonelli has looked the man to beat since topping Friday practice, and he delivered on his potential with a dominant qualifying performance. On his slowing down lap, he sent his best wishes to his father Marco, who is celebrating his 61st birthday on Saturday.

The Belgian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race, with Antonelli aiming to extend his championship lead, Verstappen looking to convert his front-row start into victory, and Norris seeking to make his way through the field from 13th. With strategic battles expected and the long straight at Spa offering plenty of overtaking opportunities, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. Antonelli’s pole position has cemented his status as the driver to beat, but the race will test his consistency and composure under pressure. As the grid prepares for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on the championship contenders and the tactical battles that will unfold around the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.