Andrea Kimi Antonelli wins chaotic F1 Belgian GP after opening-lap scuffle

Andrea Kimi Antonelli survived a wild opening lap and a late challenge to win the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on 20 July 2026.

What happened?

Antonelli led from pole but was immediately swarmed by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc through Eau Rouge. He lost the lead twice before regaining it with ten laps remaining to take his sixth win of the 2026 season. His teammate George Russell was punted into the gravel on lap one, scoring zero points.

The race unfolded at an extraordinary pace. Antonelli admitted the opening stint felt “crazy.” He said he was baffled by Verstappen’s sudden move before Eau Rouge, then saw Leclerc almost level with him. “I was like, what the heck is happening?!” he told media after the flag.

Why it matters for Andrea Kimi Antonelli

The victory stretches Antonelli’s championship lead to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton and 50 over Russell. At 19, he is now the youngest driver to win six races in a single F1 season. The win also underlines his ability to recover from early chaos, a trait that has defined his campaign.

Antonelli’s pace fluctuated across the Spa track. He was strong in some sectors but weaker in others, yet still managed to edge out Leclerc late. “Pace was a lot higher than practice,” he said. “It was not easy because Max in the first team was keeping up and Charles on the hards was on great pace too.”

What comes next?

Antonelli heads to Hungary with a commanding points cushion. The next race could further cement his status as the title favourite. Russell’s early exit means Mercedes now trail Ferrari in the constructors’ standings. All eyes will be on whether Antonelli can maintain this momentum through the summer swing.

Antonelli’s post-race relief was clear. “I’m very happy with it,” he said. “Definitely not straightforward, but I’m happy.” The Spa win keeps his season on track-and his rivals scrambling.