Kimi Antonelli tops practice at Belgian GP as Gasly crashes in Spa session

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli set the pace in Friday practice for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, but the session was overshadowed by a heavy crash involving Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Antonelli’s performance highlighted his determination to close the gap in the championship race, while Gasly’s incident raised concerns for his team ahead of the weekend’s main events.

Gasly’s crash occurred on the exit of the Fagnes medium-speed chicane during the final part of the session, causing a red flag and cutting short the team’s planned race-simulation runs. The French driver lost control, clipping the barrier and tearing off his right rear wheel. The incident forced his team to address technical issues overnight, with the full extent of the damage yet to be determined. Gasly’s struggles contrasted sharply with Antonelli’s dominance, who recorded the fastest time of the session, 0.190 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and a significant 1.285 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell.

Antonelli’s performance in practice underscored his focus on regaining form after a recent slump, during which Russell had narrowed his championship lead from 68 points to 25. Russell, who described the rear tires as “too cold” during the session, acknowledged the gap between himself and Antonelli, noting, “But not 1.2 seconds cold.” The Italian’s strong showing suggested he was well-prepared to challenge for victory in Sunday’s race, despite the challenges posed by Spa’s unpredictable weather and technical demands.

The Belgian Grand Prix, held at the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, is known for its high-speed corners and technical challenges. The session’s weather conditions, with a risk of rain, added another layer of complexity for teams. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reflected on the team’s recent performance, stating, “I’m happy for Kimi, he really deserved the win because Silverstone should have been his but he had the DNF on the car. Today and all weekend he was very strong.” Wolff also addressed the team’s engine issues, which he attributed to “lacking power on the straight,” though he emphasized the team’s commitment to improvement.

The practice session also highlighted the broader championship battle, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton vying for position. Leclerc’s recent victory at the British Grand Prix had reignited his title ambitions, while Hamilton’s strong performances kept him in contention. The race at Spa, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 15:00 CET (14:00 BST), is expected to be a critical test for all teams, particularly with the circuit’s energy management demands and the potential for wet conditions.

As the teams prepare for Saturday’s final practice and qualifying, the focus remains on adapting to Spa’s unique challenges. The crash involving Gasly serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in the sport, while Antonelli’s performance signals his intent to reclaim the lead in the championship. With the race set to begin on Sunday, all eyes will be on how the teams navigate the circuit’s demanding layout and the unpredictable weather, which could further shape the title race in the coming weeks.