Andrea Kimi Antonelli Dominates Belgian GP Practice as Lewis Hamilton Crashes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli was once again the fastest driver in final practice at the Belgian Grand Prix, setting the tone for a thrilling weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

What happened?

Andrea Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets with a blistering lap, finishing 0.139 seconds clear of McLaren's Lando Norris. Max Verstappen completed the top three for Red Bull, just 0.148 seconds off the pace.

Why it matters for Andrea Kimi Antonelli

The Italian teenager's dominance in practice has put him in a strong position ahead of qualifying. With his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, struggling to find pace, Antonelli will be looking to capitalize on his team's misfortune.

What comes next?

Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix takes place later today, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli looking to secure a strong starting position. However, his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, faces an anxious wait to see if Ferrari can repair his damaged car in time.

The session was marked by a dramatic crash for Hamilton, who lost control of his car at Turn 13 and clipped the same tyre barrier that Pierre Gasly found earlier in the weekend. The impact caused significant damage to the rear-end of Hamilton's Ferrari, forcing him to stop on track.

"I've destroyed the car, mate. I'm sorry," Hamilton reported over team radio.

Hamilton now faces an uncertain future, with his car's readiness for qualifying hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be looking to build on his strong practice performance and secure a strong result for Ferrari.

The session also saw a strong showing from Audi, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto both securing a spot in the top-10. However, the focus remains on Andrea Kimi Antonelli and his bid for a strong result in qualifying.

The grid penalties

A total of four drivers will take grid penalties for Sunday's race, with Norris and Lance Stroll each serving a 10-place drop. Hadjar will start from the back of the grid, while Fernando Alonso has exceeded his allocation of power unit components.

Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix takes place at 1500 UK time, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli looking to secure a strong starting position.