Overview
- Kimi Antonelli converted dominant practice form into pole position at Spa on Saturday after setting the fastest times in FP1–FP3 and in qualifying.
- Lewis Hamilton crashed heavily at the Les Fagnes chicane in FP3 and told his engineer over team radio that he had “destroyed the car,” but Ferrari completed repairs to suspension, floor and gearbox in time for qualifying.
- The FIA stewards fined Scuderia Ferrari a total of €10,000 for failing to physically return the correct tyre sets to Pirelli despite electronically logging them, avoiding a sporting penalty.
- Several drivers will start Sunday’s race with grid penalties for component and battery changes, with Lando Norris and Lance Stroll each receiving 10-place drops and Isack Hadjar set to start at the back.
- Antonelli’s pole gives Mercedes a clear strategic advantage at Spa’s fast, slipstream‑dependent circuit and creates pressure on rivals and Ferrari’s reliability ahead of the race.