Kimi Antonelli secures pole position at F1 Belgian Grand Prix
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 3:39 PM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes claimed pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on July 18, 2026, with a lap time of 1 minute 44.361 seconds. He finished more than three-tenths of a second ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull, marking the largest margin for pole this season. Despite his strong performance, Lando Norris of McLaren qualified third but faces a 10-place grid penalty due to an additional battery unit change. This penalty will see Norris start from 12th place on the grid. Other drivers, including Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, also received penalties affecting their starting positions.
- •Antonelli outpaced Verstappen to take pole by over three-tenths.
- •Norris qualifies third but starts 12th due to a grid penalty.
- •Antonelli's pole position is his sixth of the season.
- •Mercedes continues a perfect qualifying record this season.
- •Several drivers face grid penalties affecting their race positions.
- 3:39 PMThe Guardian Sport — Mercedes’ Antonelli outpaces Verstappen to grab F1 Belgian Grand Prix pole position
- 3:34 PMMotorsport.com — This is the starting grid for the 2026 F1 Belgian GP
- 3:33 PMYahoo Sports — Antonelli beats Verstappen for impressive Belgium GP pole
"Russell will share second row with Ferrari’s Leclerc Norris third fastest but has a 10-place grid penalty Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli took pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, comfortably beating Max Verstappen of Red Bull into second place at Spa-Francorchamps in an intimidating margin of more than three-tenths, the largest advantage for pole of the season. Lando Norris was in third place but McLaren’s defending world champion has a 10-place grid penalty after he used his fourth battery unit of the season, one more than allowed under the regulations. He will start from 12th on the grid. Continue reading...
"While Kimi Antonelli sailed to pole position at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, there is a raft of changes to the order behind the Mercedes driver. Engine changes up and down the grid mean that Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso will all take grid penalties for tomorrow's race. Here is how that impacts the starting grid for F1's Belgian GP. Read ...Keep reading
"Championship leader Kimi Antonelli claimed a stunning pole position for the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday as Max Verstappen had to be content with second despite a little help from his team-mate. Mercedes driver Antonelli claimed his sixth pole of the season when he clocked 1 minute 44.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJul 18, 2026, 3:39 PMMercedes’ Antonelli outpaces Verstappen to grab F1 Belgian Grand Prix pole position
Russell will share second row with Ferrari’s Leclerc Norris third fastest but has a 10-place grid penalty Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli took pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, comfortably beating Max Verstappen of Red Bull into second place at Spa-Francorchamps in an intimidating margin of more than three-tenths, the largest advantage for pole of the season. Lando Norris was in third place but McLaren’s defending world champion has a 10-place grid penalty after he used his fourth battery unit of the season, one more than allowed under the regulations. He will start from 12th on the grid. Continue reading...
- Motorsport.comJul 18, 2026, 3:34 PMThis is the starting grid for the 2026 F1 Belgian GP
While Kimi Antonelli sailed to pole position at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, there is a raft of changes to the order behind the Mercedes driver. Engine changes up and down the grid mean that Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso will all take grid penalties for tomorrow's race. Here is how that impacts the starting grid for F1's Belgian GP. Read ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 3:33 PMAntonelli beats Verstappen for impressive Belgium GP pole
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli claimed a stunning pole position for the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday as Max Verstappen had to be content with second despite a little help from his team-mate. Mercedes driver Antonelli claimed his sixth pole of the season when he clocked 1 minute 44.
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