Kimi Antonelli delivered a stunning performance to claim pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, edging out Max Verstappen and Lando Norris after a dramatic qualifying session packed with penalties, red flags and late-session twists.
Before qualifying even began, several drivers faced grid penalties that would shape Sunday’s starting order. World Champion Lando Norris received a 10-place grid drop after exceeding his control electronics allocation, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso were both consigned to the back of the grid following power unit changes. Lance Stroll also picked up a 10-place penalty after taking a new MGU-K.
Ferrari complete remarkable Hamilton rebuild
The biggest talking point ahead of qualifying came after Lewis Hamilton suffered a heavy crash during the closing stages of final practice, leaving Ferrari mechanics in a frantic race against the clock to repair his SF-26.
Their efforts paid off, with Hamilton emerging from the garage in Q1 to a huge sigh of relief, allowing the seven-time world champion to take part in the session despite the earlier damage.
Norris edges Verstappen in an eventful Q1
The opening knockout session saw Cadillac employ team tactics, with Sergio Perez benefiting from a slipstream provided by team-mate Valtteri Bottas to briefly top the timesheets.
Once the frontrunners began their runs, Max Verstappen laid down the benchmark with a 1:45.930, finishing comfortably ahead of both Mercedes drivers. However, Arvid Lindblad immediately caught the eye by vaulting into second place, suggesting Racing Bulls’ latest upgrade package was delivering instant performance.
Ferrari endured a difficult opening run, with Charles Leclerc fourth and Hamilton only ninth, both well adrift of Verstappen’s pace.
The order shifted once again moments later as Norris produced a superb lap of 1:45.865 to snatch the fastest time by just 0.065 seconds.
Hamilton found significant improvement on his second run, climbing to fourth despite remaining over two-tenths behind Norris while still using the same set of tyres.
Eliminated in Q1 were Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Cadillac duo Bottas and Perez, along with both Aston Martin drivers Alonso and Stroll, whose penalties had already consigned them to difficult race days.
Antonelli dominates Q2
Mercedes found another level in Q2 as Antonelli delivered a sensational lap of 1:45.142, finishing over half a second clear of team-mate George Russell.
Verstappen split the Silver Arrows by moving into second, but still sat nearly half a second adrift of Antonelli’s blistering pace.
Leclerc emerged as Antonelli’s closest challenger, although the Ferrari driver remained around a quarter of a second behind. Norris and Hamilton slotted into third and fourth respectively, pushing Verstappen down to fifth.
Russell opted to complete his final run on used soft tyres despite sitting in a vulnerable eighth position, while Oscar Piastri switched to a fresh set.
The session ended with Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman all eliminated.
Hulkenberg delay interrupts pole shootout
Q3 began with an unexpected delay after Hulkenberg stopped on his in-lap with a hydraulics failure, forcing marshals to recover his stranded Audi before the final session could begin.
Once the green light returned, Red Bull immediately deployed team tactics. Hadjar, despite knowing he would start from the back of the grid, positioned himself ahead of Verstappen before deliberately providing his team-mate with a slipstream down the Kemmel Straight.
The tow helped Verstappen set an early benchmark of 1:44.984.
Antonelli responded instantly, finding another tenth to move ahead of the reigning world champion, while Leclerc surprised many by climbing within a tenth of the Mercedes rookie. Hamilton could only manage fourth on the opening runs.
Norris then produced what looked to be the decisive lap of qualifying, setting a superb 1:44.801 to claim provisional pole despite knowing his 10-place grid penalty would prevent him from starting Sunday’s race from first.
Red flag sets up dramatic finale
The final shootout was briefly interrupted when Oscar Piastri ran wide at Turn 14, scattering gravel across the racing line and prompting race control to red-flag the session while the circuit was cleared.
With just one final flying lap remaining, the tension rose dramatically as all ten drivers prepared for one last attempt.
Red Bull once again executed the slipstream strategy perfectly, allowing Verstappen to briefly move into provisional pole after another tow from Hadjar.
But Antonelli saved his best until last.
The Mercedes driver produced a breathtaking final lap, finding another three tenths over Verstappen to secure pole position in emphatic fashion. Russell could only manage fourth, finishing half a second behind his team-mate.