Formula 1: Belgian Grand Prix – Mercedes star Antonelli humiliates Verstappen and co in Spa qualifying | sport

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He’s back for the World Cup! Kimi Antonelli (19) is fighting for pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix (Sunday, 15:00; Sky and RTL). The Italian sets the fastest time, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (28) and McLaren’s Lando Norris (26). Curious: world champion Norris is third, but starts only 13th.

Reason: The Briton will have to use his fourth control unit before the race in Belgium. But only three are allowed… For the unauthorized exchange of parts, he received a ten-place grid penalty from the world association FIA. Third lucky: Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell (28). The “Silver Arrows” star can’t keep up with the Italian (again) and is half a second (!) behind at the seven-kilometer distance. Worlds? Galaxies in Formula 1!

Antonelli’s father, Marco, hugs his son after his son took his sixth pole position of the season.

Photo: Jakub Pozycki/REUTERS

In Spa qualifying, the Italian races in his own world. Although Verstappen takes a hit from teammate Isak Hajjar on the long straight, Dutchman Antonelli cannot pose a threat. The young driver is also more than 0.3 seconds ahead of the four-time world champion from Red Bull…

For Nico Hulkenberg (38), it was once again a disappointing qualification. The German only has the 14th fastest time (0.6 seconds slower than teammate Gabriel Bortoleto) but starts twelfth due to penalties from Norris and Hajjar. Unlike Hulkenberg, the Brazilian even qualified for the final part of qualifying.

But: Hulkenberg will still have to park the car on the way back to the garage. The veteran’s car has hydraulic problems. However, it is still unknown whether this is due to his poor performance. In the team’s internal qualifying match with Bortoleto, after ten time trials the score was 5:5.

Belgian Grand Prix starting grid