Drama, Strategy and Missed Chances Shape Belgian GP

Belgium may be remembered as the race where Antonelli took back full control of the title fight.

Kimi’s victory could become one of the significant moments of the Formula 1 season. After three races where his championship advantage had slowly disappeared, the Mercedes driver arrived at Spa under pressure. He left with a bigger lead and renewed confidence.

The race itself showed why Antonelli has become the driver to beat in 2026. He lost the lead after the Virtual Safety Car worked perfectly for Charles Leclerc, but he never looked frustrated. Instead, he stayed within striking distance, preserved his tyres and waited for the right moment. When Leclerc could no longer defend on the Kemmel Straight, Antonelli made a decisive move and controlled the remaining laps without taking unnecessary risks.

Antonelli had retired in Spain, finished third in Austria and failed to score points at Silverstone. Belgium was exactly the response the team needed before heading into the final race ahead of the summer break.

Ferrari can also leave Spa with positives. Leclerc backed up his recent victory with another excellent drive and showed that Ferrari now has the pace to challenge Mercedes more regularly. Lewis Hamilton also recovered from a penalty and a troublesome pit stop to finish fourth, limiting the damage in the championship.

George Russell's early retirement had a significant impact on the championship battle. 

The Mercedes driver saw his race end after the first-lap incident, costing him the opportunity to score valuable points. As Antonelli celebrated victory and Hamilton climbed to second in the standings, Russell's title challenge suffered another setback. With several races still to come, he will need a strong response to close the gap once again.

Lando Norris was another driver left wondering what might have been. A strong recovery drive from the back of the grid was undone by unfortunate timing during the Virtual Safety Car and a slow pit stop, leaving him with fewer points than his pace deserved.

After Belgium, the championship standings tell a clear story: Kimi Antonelli leads with 204 points, followed by Lewis Hamilton (159), George Russell (154), Charles Leclerc (126) and Lando Norris (103).

With Hungary still to come before the summer break, could one more dramatic weekend change the story again?

By Barbara Cardilli – Motorsport & Lifestyle Expert

Image credit: Cristiano Barni     
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