Kimi Antonelli claimed victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after passing Charles Leclerc in the closing stages at Spa-Francorchamps, extending his lead in the Formula 1 championship with his sixth win of the season.
Leclerc finished seconds after, while Max Verstappen claimed his third podium with a third-place finish.
The 19-year-old started from pole position but squandered the lead almost immediately when Leclerc made a stronger launch and swept ahead into La Source.
Antonelli settled into second as the race was interrupted by an early safety car following a first-lap collision involving Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Russell’s retirement handed Antonelli an opportunity to increase his advantage in the standings, but he still had work to do.
Leclerc looked comfortable out front during the opening stint, and Ferrari appeared to have gained the upper hand when the Monegasque emerged ahead after the first round of pit stops.
Rather than forcing the issue, Antonelli stayed within reach. Mercedes kept him on track longer than Leclerc during the race’s key phases, giving him fresher tyres for the final stint.
The strategy gradually paid off as the Italian began reducing the gap lap after lap around Spa’s gruelling 7.004-kilometre circuit.
With only a handful of laps remaining, Antonelli closed into DRS range. The decisive move came on the Kemmel Straight when he carried greater speed out of Eau Rouge and Raidillon, pulled alongside Leclerc, and completed the pass into Les Combes.
Once in front, Antonelli managed the remaining laps without trouble. Leclerc was unable to mount a response and crossed the line in second place, with Red Bull’s Verstappen completing the podium.
The victory continued a splendid rookie season for Antonelli, who has quickly established himself as a genuine championship contender.
The Italian has now won six races in 2026 and becomes one of the youngest drivers ever to reach that mark in a single Formula 1 campaign.
By all indications, Antonelli looks well on track to claim his first world championship title.
Despite Russell’s retirement, it was another wonderful outing for Mercedes, as they extended their lead in the constructors’ standings.
