Virtual safety car
Image Source: IANS
Formula 1: Antonelli Hunts Down Leclerc To Win Belgian GP
Belgian Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his Formula 1 championship lead after Mercedes teammate George Russell retired on the opening lap.
Antonelli bounced back from two consecutive scoreless races to claim his sixth victory of the 2026 season. After leading the opening stint at Spa-Francorchamps, the Italian lost first place when Leclerc took advantage of a Virtual Safety Car deployment to leapfrog the Mercedes during the pit-stop cycle.
Antonelli steadily erased a three-second deficit before overtaking Leclerc into Les Combes on lap 34, and held on over the closing stages to secure the win.
Advertisement
