Antonelli Secures Surprise Pole Ahead of Verstappen in Belgium

"A new generation of talent continues to make its mark on the biggest stage of motorsport"

Kimi Antonelli produced a brilliant qualifying performance to secure pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, beating championship contender Max Verstappen in a thrilling session.

The Mercedes driver delivered an impressive final lap with a time of 1:44.361, finishing 0.317 seconds ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull. The result marked another major qualifying achievement for Antonelli, who has continued to impress with his performances throughout the season.

Verstappen remained one of the strongest contenders during qualifying and secured a front-row start, but he was unable to match Antonelli’s pace in the final moments. Lando Norris showed strong speed to finish third, although his grid penalty will affect his race position.

George Russell and Charles Leclerc completed the top five, while Lewis Hamilton also remained competitive. The session highlighted the close battle between Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

With Antonelli and Verstappen starting together on the front row, fans can expect an exciting race as the drivers battle for crucial championship points at Spa-Francorchamps.