Formula 1 returns to the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix and round 10 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli endured a frustrating race last time out at Silverstone, finishing outside the points, but he still has a healthy lead of 25 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell in the championship standings.
Charles Leclerc secured his first win of the season for Ferrari at the British GP, ahead of Russell in seecond and Lewis Hamilton in third. Hamilton trails Russell by just seven points in the championship leaderboard as he eyes a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Lando Norris finished just off the podium in Silverstone and missed out on a win in Belgium last year to McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
Follow live F1 updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent.
More on Hamilton’s crash
Lewis Hamilton will face a race against time to take part in qualifying for tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix after he crashed out of final practice.
In the final seconds on the concluding session at Spa-Francorchamps, Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari on the exit of Fagnes, racing through the gravel with the rear of his car thudding into the barrier.
“I have destroyed the car, mate,” said Hamilton as he came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the track.
Lewis Hamilton leaves Ferrari with major repair job after crash at Belgian GP
Hamilton’s Ferrari mechanics will now have a little more than two hours to repair the seven-time world champion’s carKieran Jackson18 July 2026 13:20
Top-10 in FP3
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:45.990
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
10. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
Kieran Jackson18 July 2026 13:12
Top-10 – driver standings:
Antonelli’s lead is 25 points.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 179 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 154 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 147 points
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 108 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 97 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 82 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 76 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 52 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 42 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 39 points
Kieran Jackson18 July 2026 12:58
Lewis Hamilton crashes at end of practice
Pushing and pushing, Hamilton smashed into the tyre barrier in the middle sector of a lap at Spa-Francorchamps.
It’s a big two hours ahead for the Ferrari mechanics as they look to get the car ready for qualifying now.
Hamilton: “I’ve destroyed the car mate, sorry.”
Kieran Jackson18 July 2026 12:50
What time is qualifying?
Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix starts at 3pm (BST).
Kimi Antonelli is the favourite.
Kieran Jackson18 July 2026 12:44
F1 Belgian GP 2026
Formula 1 returns to the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix and round 10 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli endured a frustrating race last time out at Silverstone, finishing outside the points, but he still has a healthy lead of 25 points to Mercedes teammate George Russell in the championship standings.
Charles Leclerc secured his first win of the season for Ferrari at the British GP, ahead of Russell in seecond and Lewis Hamilton in third. Hamilton trails Russell by just seven points in the championship leaderboard as he eyes a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Lando Norris finished just off the podium in Silverstone and missed out on a win in Belgium last year to McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
Kieran Jackson18 July 2026 12:42