Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix with a commanding final lap at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds in a closely contested Qualifying session.

The Mercedes driver produced a 1:44.361 on his final Q3 run to move ahead of Verstappen, while Lando Norris finished third after abandoning his last attempt following a trip through the gravel at Turn 13.

Norris had set the early pace in Q1, recording a 1:45.865 to edge Verstappen by just 0.065s. Isack Hadjar was an impressive third for Red Bull with a 1:46.062, ahead of Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad and Antonelli.

With Norris, Verstappen and Hadjar electing not to complete a second run, attention turned to the elimination battle. Carlos Sainz narrowly progressed in 15th, with Oliver Bearman missing the cut by 0.033s. Alexander Albon was a further 0.007s behind in 17th.

Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez were also eliminated, while Aston Martin endured a difficult session as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll completed the final two positions.

Antonelli then raised the pace in Q2, going fastest with a 1:45.142. The Italian led Charles Leclerc, Norris and Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen fifth after setting a 1:45.589. Confident that his time would be sufficient, Verstappen remained in the garage for the closing runs.

Hadjar improved to secure ninth and a place in Q3, but Liam Lawson could only manage 11th. Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hülkenberg, Sainz and Bearman joined him in elimination.

Red Bull sent Hadjar and Verstappen out first in Q3 as the team attempted to use the slipstream to its advantage. Verstappen initially posted a 1:44.984, but Antonelli, Leclerc and Norris all moved ahead, with Norris taking provisional pole in 1:44.801.

The session was then red-flagged after gravel was brought onto the circuit when Oscar Piastri ran wide at Stavelot, ensuring the field would have one final opportunity.

On the decisive runs, Verstappen benefited from a tow from Hadjar and briefly moved to the top of the order. Antonelli responded immediately, delivering the fastest lap of the weekend to claim pole by more than three tenths.

Norris was unable to complete his final effort after dipping a wheel into the gravel, leaving him third ahead of George Russell, Leclerc and Hamilton. Just 0.002s separated the Ferrari drivers. Piastri qualified seventh, followed by Lindblad, Gabriel Bortoleto and Hadjar.

With Norris carrying a grid penalty, Antonelli and Verstappen are set to share the front row, while Russell and Leclerc will start from the second row.

2026 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Qualifying 
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:44.361 - -
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:44.678 0.317
3 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:44.801 0.440 
4 George Russell Mercedes 1:44.869 0.508
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:44.893 0.532 
6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:44.895 0.534 
7 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:45.016 0.655 
8 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:45.143 0.782 
9 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:45.628 1.267
10 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:45.823 1.462 
11 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:46.120 1.759 
12 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:46.331 1.970 
13 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:46.392 2.031 
14 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:46.671 2.310 
15 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:46.777 2.416 
16 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:46.779 2.418 
17 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:47.120 2.759 
18 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:47.801 3.440 
19 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:47.823 3.462 
20 Sergio Pérez Cadillac/Ferrari 1:47.971 3.610 
21 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:50.177 5.816 
22 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:50.002 5.641