SportFormula 1Formula 1Kimi Antonelli was the favourite for pole after his practice performances while his Mercedes team wanted to protect its perfect pole record in 2026, though there were threats16:20, 18 Jul 2026Updated 16:26, 18 Jul 2026There are no Formula 1 drivers representing Belgium on the grid these days, though Max Verstappen was born in the country, as was Lando Norris' mother. But both were denied pole at their sort-of home race as Kimi Antonelli produced a supreme lap to continue Mercedes' perfect record in qualifying this year.‌In truth, Norris never had any hope of pole – on Sunday he will serve a 10-place grid penalty because he has taken an engine component beyond his annual allowance at Spa-Francorchamps. He was impressive on Saturday as he steered his McLaren to third on the timesheets, but will start the race 13th.‌That is a long way off fellow half-Belgian Verstappen, who benefitted from a huge tow from team-mate Isack Hadjar down the long Spa straights, the Frenchman happy to help out given he too also has grid penalties and will start from the back. But it still wasn't enough to stop Antonelli who was excellent throughout practice and replicated that pace here when it mattered.‌A crash right at the end of final practice earlier on Saturday put Lewis Hamilton's participation in qualifying at risk. It looked a tall order for the Ferrari mechanics to fix the smashed-up car in time, but they did exactly that and the seven-time F1 champion was ready to go in time for the moment the green light was shown at the pit exit.He was never at risk of an early exit and, these days, four of the six Q1 eliminations are reserved for the Cadillac and Aston Martin cars. Lance Stroll was slowest with Fernando Alonso only a fraction quicker, both of them more than four seconds off the benchmark pace. Things can only get better when they finally get their upgraded cars in Budapest next weekend.‌Esteban Ocon was the slowest of the rest as his poor run of form continued, the Frenchman at risk of being replaced by Haas for 2027 if this continues to be his level of result. Alex Albon was the other to drop out of Q1 at the first time of asking, as both Alpine cars leaped into safety with their last efforts.Oliver Bearman was last of the Q2 runners, narrowly beaten to 15th place by Carlos Sainz whose exit means Williams are still waiting for a first Q3 appearance of the year. Nico Hulkenberg, 14th fastest, was slower than the two Alpines while Liam Lawson's impressive streak of Q3 appearances came to an end as he settled for 11th, narrowly beaten by Gabriel Bortoleto.‌He will start ninth, though, as both Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar must serve grid penalties which will drop them below the New Zealander on the starting grid. Hadjar is guaranteed to start at the very back, though Red Bull were pleased to get him into Q3 where he could give Max Verstappen a hand by towing him along Spa's long straights.The start of Q3 was delayed as Hulkenberg was told over the radio to stop the car on track, Audi having detected a hydraulics leak in the data. And when it got going Norris threatened to be quickest of anyone, even though he already knew pole was impossible because of that grid drop he was carrying.But Antonelli got the better of him anyway, the championship leader positioning himself perfectly for a shot at a first win since Monaco six weeks ago, having seen his championship lead cut significantly because of reliability problems.Article continues belowFull Belgian Grand Prix qualifying resultKimi Antonelli - MercedesMax Verstappen - Red BullLando Norris - McLaren (10-place grid penalty to be served)George Russell - MercedesCharles Leclerc - FerrariLewis Hamilton - FerrariOscar Piastri - McLarenArvid Lindblad - Racing BullsGabriel Bortoleto - AudiIsack Hadjar - Red Bull (30-place grid penalty to be served)Liam Lawson - Racing BullsPierre Gasly - AlpineFranco Colapinto - AlpineNico Hulkenberg - AudiCarlos Sainz - WilliamsOliver Bearman - HaasAlex Albon - WilliamsEsteban Ocon - HaasValtteri Bottas - CadillacSergio Perez - CadillacFernando Alonso - Aston MartinLance Stroll - Aston MartinChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Belgian Grand PrixFormula 1Lando NorrisMax VerstappenAndrea Kimi Antonelli