Overview
- The Belgian Grand Prix, held Sunday, saw Kimi Antonelli pass Charles Leclerc on lap 34 to win and stretch his championship advantage to roughly 50 points over his nearest rivals.
- George Russell was eliminated on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton at Les Combes, a collision the stewards blamed on Hamilton and for which he received a five‑second penalty.
- Hamilton also faces a post‑race unsafe‑release investigation after his Ferrari clipped a mechanic during the pit stop, with Ferrari confirming the mechanic was unhurt.
- Spa's long straights intensified battery‑recharge and energy‑deployment problems under the 2026 power‑unit rules, and the FIA applied a weekend‑specific change to energy‑harvesting limits to reduce coasting issues.
- The result increases short‑term pressure on Mercedes and rivals ahead of next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix and highlights how start incidents, VSC timing and hybrid energy management can rapidly reshape the title fight.