Belgian GP qualifying result: Lando Norris penalty changes F1 grid | F1 | Sport

Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix to extend Mercedes’ perfect qualifying record this season. It is 10 poles out of as many GP qualifying sessions in 2026 for the Silver Arrows as Antonelli, who had impressed in practice, held off the charge of Max Verstappen.

A huge roar was let out by many in the grandstands at Spa-Francorchamps when Verstappen, helped by a tow from team-mate Isack Hadjar, topped the timesheets with his final effort. But he was beaten by Antonelli seconds later while Lando Norris, who had threatened pole abandoned his final flying lap.

The Brit was still third fastest overall on the day, though he will not be able to keep hold of that position on the starting grid. Because he has taken engine components beyond his annual allowance, Norris will serve a 10-place grid drop which means he will line up 13th on the grid on Sunday, despite his fine performance in qualifying.

Hamilton’s crash had cast doubt over his participation in qualifying but, as the pit lane exit opened for the start of the session, Ferrari mechanics were stood proudly around his rebuilt car which was ready to go. And the seven-time world champion made it safely through Q1 with the fourth quickest time to show how good of a job his colleagues had done.

As has become customary this year, the bottom four places on the grid were made up of Cadillacs and Aston Martins. Lance Stroll was last with Fernando Alonso just above him, the pair of them more than four seconds off the pace as they endured one last qualifying humiliation before, they hope, finally having the chance to do more in an upgraded car in Budapest next weekend.

Alpine looked for a while as though both their cars might be in trouble, though they vaulted themselves away from the danger zone with their final flying efforts of Q1. Instead, Esteban Ocon continued his poor run with a lap only good enough for 18th on the timesheet, while Alex Albon also fell at the first hurdle.

Oliver Bearman was slowest of the Q2 runners, narrowly pipped to 15th place by Carlos Sainz whose exit means Williams are still waiting for a first Q3 appearance of the year. Nico Hulkenberg was pipped by the two Alpines while Liam Lawson‘s streak of Q3 appearances came to an end as he had to settle for 11th, narrowly beaten by Gabriel Bortoleto.

Though in reality Lawson will start ninth as Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar, who both made it into the top 10, have to serve grid penalties which will drop them below the New Zealander on the starting grid. Hadjar is guaranteed to start at the very back, though Red Bull were pleased to get him into Q3 where he could give Max Verstappen a hand by towing him along Spa’s long straights.

The start of Q3 was delayed as Hulkenberg was told over the radio to stop the car on track, Audi having detected a hydraulics leak in the data. But it was only a minor delay and, even though Norris threatened for a time, there was no stopping Antonelli who ended the session more than three-tenths clear of nearest challenger Verstappen.