Mercedes' Day of Extremes: Antonelli Wins Belgian GP, Hamilton Crashes with Russell and Runs Over Ferrari Mechanic

Heaven and hell were very close together in Formula 1 at the Belgian Grand Prix. Mercedes experienced a day of extremes: Kimi Antonelli (19) celebrated a commanding victory, while George Russell (28) retired in the first lap after a crash with Lewis Hamilton (41).

Behind the winner, Charles Leclerc (28) and Max Verstappen (28) completed the podium.

Kimi Antonelli wins the Belgium race. Photo: Jakub Porzycki/REUTERS

Explosive Start with Crash

Everyone got off to a good start. Verstappen snatched the lead from Antonelli before Eau Rouge, but the young Italian countered immediately, hit the gas, and reclaimed the lead on the long Kemmel straight. Charles Leclerc also then passed Verstappen.

Hamilton attacked Russell and initially got past. However, the record world champion had to brake behind Verstappen in front of him. Russell appeared again on Hamilton's left – then it crashed. Hamilton was able to continue, but Russell spun into the gravel trap and had to abandon the race.

Hamilton Receives Penalty

In lap five, the restart followed. Hamilton snatched Oscar Piastri in Turn 1, but the Australian countered on the long straight and took the position back. McLaren appeared stronger than recently. In lap eight, Piastri attacked Leclerc, but the Ferrari driver uncompromisingly shut the door under braking. The two touched – it could have ended badly.

Only one lap later, Hamilton finally managed the overtaking maneuver against Piastri. However, the Ferrari star soon received a five-second penalty for his crash with Russell. Even the retired Mercedes driver showed no understanding: "The penalty for Lewis is too harsh."

Shocking Scene Involving Hamilton

It got wild during Hamilton's pit stop. The light went out too early, and the seven-time world champion hit the gas – but his crew wasn't finished yet. He caught a mechanic, who hit his head on the tire.

Hamilton immediately asked: "Is he okay?" The positive answer came: "He's okay, we're all okay."

Kimi Antonelli, the King of Belgium

Who benefited from the chaos? Above all, Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver pulled away at the front to about two seconds ahead of Verstappen.

Lando Norris also worked his way forward strongly. After his ten-place grid penalty, the McLaren driver started from 13th place and was already in sixth position after 15 laps.

In lap 18, Verstappen was the first from the leading group to come in for a tire change. Was Red Bull going for the undercut? The attempt failed. Antonelli stopped one lap later and even extended his lead.

Verstappen then had to overtake the Mercedes on track – but that didn't work either.

Ferrari did it better. Leclerc got new tires during the virtual safety car – that saved time and pushed the Monegasque into first place.

Would he get his second consecutive win? Fifteen laps before the end, the lead was 2.5 seconds. After five laps, Kimi struck. Everything was decided on the long straight today, including the win. The Mercedes effortlessly pulled past the Ferrari. The champagne could be put on ice.

In the last ten laps, Kimi Antonelli let nothing slip and brought the victory home confidently.

Result: Belgian Grand Prix

| Position | Driver | |----------|--------| | 1. | Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) | | 2. | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | | 3. | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | | 4. | Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) | | 5. | Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | | 6. | Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) | | 7. | Lando Norris (McLaren) | | 8. | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) | | 9. | Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) | | 10. | Franco Colapinto (Alpine) | | 11. | Pierre Gasly (Alpine) | | 12. | Liam Lawson (Red Bull) | | 13. | Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) | | 14. | Oliver Bearman (Haas) | | 15. | Alexander Albon (Williams) | | 16. | Carlos Sainz (Williams) | | 17. | Esteban Ocon (Haas) | | 18. | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) | | 19. | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | | 20. | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) |