Kimi Antonelli roared to a sixth F1 pole position of the season in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, over three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen.
Red Bull cleverly used the penalised Isack Hadjar to 'tow' Verstappen in Sector 3 to boost his performance, with Lando Norris taking third for McLaren on the road, with George Russell fourth.
However, Norris is to be demoted 10-places to 13th for new power unit components, meaning the likes of Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton all shuffle forward one position.
Elsewhere, Hadjar was 10th after not setting a Q3 time following his own penalty, which will see him drop to the back of the grid for engine component changes, as he falls from P10 to P21, with Fernando Alonso incurring a similar penalty for Aston Martin to drop from P21 to P22.
Lance Stroll also takes a 10-place penalty for new engine parts, but the Canadian, who qualified P22, will actually start P20, moving forward two places owing to the Hadjar and Alonso drops.
NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.
Adjusted 2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix Spa starting grid
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| POLE | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 2. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3. | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 4. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5. | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 6. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 7. | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls |
| 8. | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi |
| 9. | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 10. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 11. | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 12. | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi |
| 13. | Lando Norris - 10 PLACE PENALTY | McLaren |
| 14. | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 15. | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 16. | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 17. | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18. | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac |
| 19. | Sergio Perez | Cadillac |
| 20. | Lance Stroll - 10 PLACE PENALTY | Aston Martin |
| 21. | Isack Hadjar - BACK OF GRID PENALTY | Red Bull |
| 22. | Fernando Alonso - BACK OF GRID PENALTY | Aston Martin |
Also interesting:
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