Kimi Antonelli produced a superb final lap to take pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in a dramatic qualifying session. For Ferrari, Charles Leclerc had to settle for fifth, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from his heavy FP3 crash to qualify sixth.
Antonelli’s pole lap of 1:44.361 put him clear at the front when it mattered most. Norris qualified third but will take a 10-place grid penalty, while Charles Leclerc was left frustrated after reporting an alleged yellow flag in the final sector of his decisive Q3 run.
Belgian GP qualifying begins with Norris quickest in Q1
After a fiery final practice session, which ended with Lewis Hamilton crashing at Turn 13, the field returned to the track for Belgian GP qualifying. Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll were among the first drivers out, while the rest of the grid took a little longer before beginning their opening runs.
Lando Norris initially set the pace with a 1:45.865, ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Antonelli was fifth at that stage, with Charles Leclerc sixth and Lewis Hamilton tenth. Crucially for Ferrari, Hamilton had no issue returning to action following the damage sustained in FP3.
Racing Bulls also made a promising start, with Arvid Lindblad fourth and Liam Lawson ninth after the first runs. As the session developed, Oliver Bearman, Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon were among those fighting to reach Q2.
Norris remained fastest when the chequered flag fell. The drivers eliminated in Q1 were Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Antonelli leads Q2 as Nico Hulkenberg stops on track
Antonelli immediately made his intentions clear in Q2, setting the first benchmark at 1:45.142. Max Verstappen followed, while George Russell was half a second slower than his Mercedes team-mate on his first attempt.
Ferrari then moved into contention, with Charles Leclerc going second and Lewis Hamilton fourth. With seven minutes remaining, the top 10 consisted of Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Arvid Lindblad, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Most drivers returned to the pits after their initial runs, before a final push in the closing minutes. Antonelli, Norris, Hamilton and Verstappen chose not to go back out, confident that their earlier laps were enough to progress.
Antonelli stayed on top, while Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman were eliminated. Hulkenberg was forced to stop his R26 on circuit after encountering a problem, with the marshals quickly recovering the car.
Kimi Antonelli takes Belgian GP pole as Ferrari finishes fifth and sixth
The fight for Belgian GP pole position was finely balanced after the first Q3 runs. Norris led initially with a 1:44.801, just 0.092 seconds ahead of Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, while Verstappen was fourth and Hamilton fifth.
After a short pause, during which marshals cleared debris from parts of the track, the field returned for one final attempt. Antonelli delivered under pressure, improving to 1:44.361 to secure a commanding pole position ahead of Verstappen and Norris.
Although Norris was third fastest, his 10-place grid penalty will significantly alter the starting order. George Russell qualified fourth, while Charles Leclerc was fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth. Ferrari had arrived at Spa aware of the circuit’s unique demands, including the revised FIA energy management rules, but neither driver could challenge the front row when it counted.
Charles Leclerc voiced frustration after the session, believing that a yellow flag in the final sector had forced him to lift. The Monegasque driver had previously outlined Ferrari’s expectations for Spa-Francorchamps, but the team will now start the Belgian Grand Prix from the third row with both cars.
Belgian GP 2026 qualifying results
- Kimi Antonelli
- Max Verstappen
- Lando Norris (10-place grid penalty)
- George Russell
- Charles Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton
- Oscar Piastri
- Arvid Lindblad
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Isack Hadjar
- Liam Lawson
- Pierre Gasly
- Franco Colapinto
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Carlos Sainz
- Oliver Bearman
- Alex Albon
- Esteban Ocon
- Valtteri Bottas
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