Antonelli Faces Verstappen Challenge in Belgian GP Start Duel
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured his sixth pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, acknowledges that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Spa-Francorchamps will be challenging. The track's unique layout, with a short run to La Source and a long uphill section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to Les Combes, often makes the polesitter vulnerable to slipstream overtakes. None of the last four polesitters have won the race. Despite a recent dip in form due to reliability issues, Antonelli remains optimistic about his pace and tire degradation management. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted the difficulty of leading through Eau Rouge, while Antonelli emphasized the importance of a good start to maintain position into Turn Five.
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Antonelli Faces Verstappen Challenge in Belgian GP Start Duel
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured his sixth pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, acknowledges that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Spa-Francorchamps will be challenging. The track's unique layout, with a short run to La Source and a long uphill section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to Les Combes, often makes the polesitter vulnerable to slipstream overtakes. None of the last four polesitters have won the race. Despite a recent dip in form due to reliability issues, Antonelli remains optimistic about his pace and tire degradation management. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted the difficulty of leading through Eau Rouge, while Antonelli emphasized the importance of a good start to maintain position into Turn Five.