Kimi Antonelli Defies Virtual Safety Car To Win Belgian Grand Prix

 

Kimi Antonelli shrugged off an early challenge from Max Verstappen to claim his sixth Grand Prix victory in Belgium, from which his teammate, George Russell, retired due to a collision. 

It was a chaotic start for Mercedes as Russell was forced out of the race after Lewis Hamilton ran into him and spun onto the gravel. Hamilton was given a five-second penalty. Antonelli had to contend alone and was faced with strong challenges from Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Hr delivered on the challenge, winning the race for his victory since the Monaco GP.

Verstappen set a blazing pace to pass Antonelli and take the lead on the first lap, before losing pace down the straight, allowing the Mercedes driver to re-take the lead. Antonelli controlled the race to the chequered flag despite multiple virtual safety cars being deployed, finishing quickest with 1.9 seconds earlier than the closest car. 

Charles Leclerc challenged Antonelli for the pole, coming out of the pit ahead of the Mercedes river after a virtual safety car was deployed on lap 20. Antonelli dropped to P3 and improved overtaking Lando Norris, and thereafter, on lap 34, he overtook Leclerc down the straight to reclaim the pole position. 

Leclecr maintained the trail behind Antonelli to the finish line to make podium position ahead of his teammate, Hamilton, who served his penalty in the pit lane. Oscar Piastri improved in position, overtaking Norris, but was unable to hold off Hamilton's challenge on lap 40. 

The victory extended Mercedes' race win to seven; Antonelli also extended his lead in the F1 driver standings to 204 points, followed by Hamilton with 159 points. Verstappen also made his third podium finish of the season at Spa. 

Belgian Grand Prix Top 10

1. Kimi Antonelli 9Mercedes)...

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 

6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 

7. Lando Norris (McLaren) 

8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

9. Arvid Limdbald (RB)

10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)