Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli celebrated victory on Sunday at the Belgian Grand Prix, the tenth race of the season, securing his sixth triumph of the season and sixth in his career following a race without a win.
The Italian started from pole position at Spa-Francorchamps and held off pressure from his rivals. Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari finished second, Max Verstappen in third, and Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton in fourth.
Antonelli’s race was complicated by a virtual safety car, which temporarily left him without the lead. "We lost the lead due to the virtual safety car, but we came back and narrowly won because Charles was fast," Antonelli said after the race.
His team-mate and title rival George Russell retired on the first lap. The British driver, who started third, lost his position after a contact with Hamilton during the battle for position, and Russell ended up in the gravel.
Antonelli now leads the standings with 204 points, Hamilton is second with 159, and Russell is third with 154 points.
The season continues in a week’s time with the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
