Antonelli Takes Belgian Grand Prix Pole Ahead of Verstappen
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix with a lap of 1:44.361, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds, while Lando Norris will start from 12th after a grid penalty.
Kimi Antonelli claimed pole for the Belgian Grand Prix with a best lap of 1:44.361, 0.317 seconds faster than Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver’s time placed him on the front row alongside Verstappen, who credited his teammate Isack Hadjar for providing a slipstream during qualifying.
Lando Norris posted the third-fastest time in Q3 but will start 12th after a ten-place grid penalty. George Russell moved up to third on the grid, while Charles Leclerc secured the second row. Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth after a crash at the end of Q3 and will line up fifth.
Several drivers received penalties or technical issues that affected their starting positions. Hadjar, despite aiding Verstappen, did not set a qualifying time and will start from the back. Fernando Alonso will also start from the rear after multiple power-unit changes. Other notable qualifiers included Oscar Piastri in seventh, Gabriel Bortoleto eighth, and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad ninth.