Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli celebrated victory on Sunday at the Belgian Grand Prix, the tenth race of the Formula 1 season, securing his sixth triumph of the year and sixth of his career after a winless streak of three races.
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 the Red Bull third, and Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton fourth.
Antonelli’s race was complicated by a virtual safety car, which temporarily cost him the lead. "We lost first place because of the virtual safety car, we got back and won narrowly because Charles was fast," Antonelli said after the race.
His team-mate and title rival George Russell retired in the first lap. The Briton started third, but after losing a position on the straight, contact with Hamilton during a battle for position saw Russell end up in the gravel.
Antonelli now leads the overall standings with 204 points, Hamilton is second with 159, and Russell third with 154 points.
The season continues next week with the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
