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F1 | Antonelli: “It was difficult to pull away from Leclerc today, the slipstream was very powerful”
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Kimi Antonelli returned to winning form at the Belgian Grand Prix, overcoming Charles Leclerc and a strategically disruptive Virtual Safety Car to claim an important and historic victory at Spa-Francorchamps. After the disappointment of Silverstone, the Mercedes driver extended his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton and 50 over George Russell.
Charles Leclerc briefly moved ahead following the only scheduled round of pit stops, but Kimi Antonelli remained composed, closed the gap and reclaimed first place without taking unnecessary risks. The Italian then resisted sustained pressure from the Ferrari driver, whose powerful slipstream prevented the Mercedes from immediately escaping at the front.
Kimi Antonelli claims historic Belgian GP win for Mercedes
After Monaco, Kimi Antonelli has now added Spa-Francorchamps to his growing list of victories. The 19-year-old continues to make Formula 1 history during his second season at the highest level of motorsport.
The victory in the Ardennes was the sixth of Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 career and his sixth of the season. Winning at one of the championship’s most legendary circuits carried additional significance, particularly because an Italian driver had not stood on the top step of the Belgian Grand Prix podium for 73 years.
The result also completed an impressive Mercedes weekend after the team introduced several circuit-specific changes to the W17. Its engineers had worked to improve the Mercedes W17’s straight-line efficiency at Spa, seeking the best compromise between aerodynamic load through the fast corners and reduced drag along the Kemmel Straight.
Kimi Antonelli also needed to respond after an unfortunate period in which technical failures had affected his races in Barcelona and at Silverstone. Without those setbacks, the Italian might already have added victory at the historic British circuit to his record.
Virtual Safety Car hands Charles Leclerc the lead
Kimi Antonelli demonstrated intelligence and maturity beyond his 19 years throughout the Belgian Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, the Bologna-born driver had been expected to build an immediate advantage, particularly after finding an effective balance through important Mercedes set-up changes before qualifying.
However, his pursuers remained close to the W17 during the opening stint. A Virtual Safety Car then complicated his race by allowing Charles Leclerc to move ahead after the only scheduled pit stop.
Kimi Antonelli did not panic. He gradually reduced the gap, studied the Ferrari driver’s behaviour and completed the overtake without exposing himself to excessive risk. Once the Mercedes returned to the lead, another decisive breakaway appeared likely, but Charles Leclerc used the slipstream and the car’s overtake function effectively to remain within range for several laps.
The battle reflected the competitive picture that emerged throughout the weekend. Mercedes possessed a clear advantage on Spa’s long straights, while Ferrari performed considerably better than it had expected before arriving in Belgium. The different technical approaches adopted by the leading teams were also evident among the latest Formula 1 upgrades inspected in the Spa pit lane.
Antonelli explains why he struggled to escape from Leclerc
Despite eventually securing the victory, Kimi Antonelli admitted that the Belgian Grand Prix had been physically and strategically demanding because the leading cars were separated by very small performance differences.
“It was a difficult race because all the pace levels were very close, so it was not easy,” Kimi Antonelli told Sky Sport F1. “Then, obviously, Charles went ahead with the Virtual Safety Car.”
Charles Leclerc’s pace and the strength of the slipstream made it particularly difficult for Kimi Antonelli to create a safe margin after regaining the lead.
“I have to say that Charles was very fast today, and it was difficult to pull away because the slipstream was very powerful,” Kimi Antonelli continued. “When I passed him, I actually found it difficult to get out of overtaking range. But it was a great victory, and now we focus on Budapest.”
The result carried major championship significance. Kimi Antonelli restored his advantage to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth, while increasing his margin over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 50 points.
George Russell was eliminated shortly after making contact with eight-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. His retirement represented a damaging setback after the British driver had already discussed his difficulties adapting his driving style to the Mercedes W17 earlier in the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
Kimi Antonelli expects a major Ferrari threat in Budapest
Formula 1 returns to action at the Hungaroring in only a few days. The slower and more technical Hungarian circuit could, on paper, make Ferrari particularly dangerous after the SF-26 performed strongly at Silverstone and Spa, two venues that had not been expected to suit the Maranello car.
Ferrari had approached the Belgian Grand Prix cautiously, with Charles Leclerc outlining modest expectations for Spa-Francorchamps before the event. His eventual second place therefore underlined the progress made by the team and the threat it could pose at a circuit better aligned with the SF-26’s characteristics.
Mercedes used a lower-downforce aerodynamic package in Belgium to respond to Spa’s long straights. Kimi Antonelli confirmed that the team will return to a configuration closer to the one used at previous races when it reaches Budapest.
“It will certainly be a track where they will be very strong,” he said. “To be honest, we brought a slightly lower-downforce package this weekend, so in Budapest we will return to the configuration from the previous races.”
“But yes, I have to say that it will not be easy because Ferrari is very strong. It will therefore be important to maximise every session and then try to bring home the best possible result.”
Antonelli proud to return the Italian flag to the top step
The Formula 1 championship leader’s success has also attracted enormous attention in Italy. The country did not qualify for the football World Cup, whose final between Spain and Argentina was scheduled for the same evening, but many Italian supporters have found another sporting hero to follow in Kimi Antonelli.
The growing attention has changed everyday life for the Mercedes driver, who has previously discussed his increasing fame and loss of privacy in Italy. However, Kimi Antonelli views representing his country on the international stage as both an honour and a responsibility.
“It is very nice to receive so much support, and it is a great privilege to be able to represent Italy,” Kimi Antonelli said. “So, in my own small way, I try to do my best and return the Italian flag to the top step.”
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