Antonelli fastest in Belgian Grand Prix FP3 as Hamilton crashes late
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, claimed the top spot in the final Formula 1 practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix today, 2026-07-18, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. His impressive pace was overshadowed, however, by a dramatic late crash involving Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton’s incident, occurring in the session’s final minute at the challenging Fagnes chicane (Turn 13), left his Ferrari with significant rear-end damage, including a ripped-off rear wheel. This crash puts immense pressure on Ferrari’s mechanics, who face a frantic race against time to repair the car before qualifying this afternoon.
antonelli’s commanding performance at spa-francorchamps
Young Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered a standout performance during Saturday’s Free Practice 3 (FP3) session. He recorded the fastest lap of 1:45.990, a time that none of his competitors could ultimately match, signaling a strong weekend for Mercedes.
Antonelli was the only driver to break into the high 1m45s bracket. He set this benchmark with his opening soft-tyre run during the first 30 minutes of the session, effectively laying down a gauntlet for the rest of the field.
how antonelli established his lead
After a somewhat subdued start to FP3, with limited running in the initial 10 minutes due to tyre conservation, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit became increasingly active. Lewis Hamilton was the first to dip below the 1m47s mark, clocking a 1m46.789s on his second run on soft tyres.
But Antonelli then surged ahead. His 1m45.990s effort was a mammoth eight tenths quicker than Hamilton’s time at that point. Max Verstappen and George Russell, despite their best efforts on their initial soft-tyre runs, couldn’t match Antonelli’s pace.
Verstappen did find more time on his second lap and even benefited from a slipstream from Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac. However, he still ended up 0.148 seconds shy of Antonelli’s leading time, illustrating the Mercedes driver’s dominant performance.
hamilton’s costly late crash
The FP3 session concluded with a significant incident involving Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver lost control of his car on entry to Turn 13, known as the Fagnes chicane, a notoriously tricky section of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Hamilton carried too much speed into the second part of Les Fagnes. This error sent him wide into the gravel, where he subsequently clipped the wall with his rear-right tyre. The impact ripped his wheel out of alignment, causing substantial damage to his Ferrari.
ferrari’s race against time for qualifying
The severity of the damage to Hamilton’s car, particularly the rear-end and potentially the gearbox, means Ferrari mechanics face a monumental task. They have less than two-and-a-half hours to repair the car for qualifying, which is set for 4 PM CET.
Hamilton’s immediate reaction over team radio encapsulated the gravity of the situation: “I’ve destroyed the car mate. I’m sorry.” This candid remark underscores the frustration and the realization of the potential impact on his starting position for tomorrow’s race.
The crash bore a striking resemblance to Pierre Gasly’s accident in FP2, highlighting Fagnes as a major challenge this weekend. Both incidents suggest that pushing the limits through this high-speed section carries severe penalties, even for the sport’s most seasoned drivers.
top competitors and their fp3 performances
While Antonelli led the pack, other familiar names occupied the top positions, showcasing the competitive field for the Belgian Grand Prix. Lando Norris of McLaren secured second place, recording a 1:46.129s, just 0.139 seconds behind Antonelli.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, finished third with a lap time of 1:46.138s, an infinitesimal 0.009 seconds behind Norris. George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, placed fourth with a 1:46.357s, further cementing Mercedes’ strong showing.
Hamilton, despite his late crash, held onto fifth place with his earlier lap of 1:46.382s. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed sixth, posting a 1:46.750s after facing some on-track traffic issues during his runs.
challenges for leclerc and the mid-pack battles
Leclerc, like many drivers, encountered disruptions during his attempts to set quicker times. He notably found a slow Pierre Gasly at Turn 9 on a new set of soft tyres, which compromised one of his flying laps. However, he still improved on a follow-up effort.
Oscar Piastri, in the second McLaren, secured seventh place, about half a second behind his teammate Norris. Both Audi drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, demonstrated solid pace by making it into the top ten, finishing eighth and ninth respectively.
Isack Hadjar of Red Bull Racing rounded out the top ten despite a challenging session. He overcame a stop and stall in the pitlane and reported difficulties getting heat into his tyres, particularly on the front axle. He finished just 0.08 seconds ahead of Arvid Lindblad.
full belgian grand prix fp3 results
Here’s a comprehensive look at the top performers and their lap times from the final practice session, showcasing the narrow margins at the front of the field:
| Cla | Driver | Chassis | Laps | Time | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) | Mercedes | 13 | 1:45.990 | |
| 2 | Lando Norris (McLaren) | McLaren | 21 | 1:46.129 | +0.139 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) | Red Bull | 14 | 1:46.138 | +0.148 |
| 4 | George Russell (Mercedes) | Mercedes | 12 | 1:46.357 | +0.367 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) | Ferrari | 17 | 1:46.382 | +0.392 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | Ferrari | 17 | 1:46.750 | +0.760 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | McLaren | 20 | 1:46.785 | +0.795 |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) | Audi | 20 | 1:46.924 | +0.934 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) | Audi | 18 | 1:47.049 | +1.059 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) | Red Bull | 19 | 1:47.096 | +1.106 |
| 11 | Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) | RB | 23 | 1:47.176 | +1.186 |
| 12 | Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) | RB | 23 | 1:47.690 | +1.700 |
| 13 | Franco Colapinto (Alpine) | Alpine | 20 | 1:47.904 | +1.914 |
| 14 | Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) | Haas | 23 | 1:47.920 | +1.930 |
| 15 | Pierre Gasly (Alpine) | Alpine | 21 | 1:47.949 | +1.959 |
| 16 | Alex Albon (Williams) | Williams | 19 | 1:47.990 | +2.000 |
| 17 | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac F1 Team) | Cadillac | 22 | 1:48.644 | +2.654 |
| 18 | Carlos Sainz (Williams) | Williams | 20 | 1:48.692 | +2.702 |
| 19 | Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team) | Haas | 22 | 1:48.730 | +2.740 |
| 20 | Sergio Perez (Cadillac F1 Team) | Cadillac | 21 | 1:48.990 | +3.000 |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin Racing) | Aston Martin | 17 | 1:50.155 | +4.165 |
| 22 | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin Racing) | Aston Martin | 15 | 1:50.631 | +4.641 |
strategic implications for qualifying
Antonelli’s commanding performance in FP3 firmly positions him as a strong contender for pole position. This result suggests Mercedes has found a sweet spot for their car setup at Spa, a promising sign for the qualifying session and the main race.
For Ferrari, the immediate aftermath of Hamilton’s crash creates a critical logistical challenge. Their mechanics must work efficiently and without error to ensure the car is ready and competitive for the upcoming qualifying session. The extent of gearbox damage, if any, will be particularly crucial.
But the incident doesn’t just affect Hamilton; it could also influence Ferrari’s overall strategy. Any further issues, or a grid penalty resulting from component changes, would severely hamper their chances in Sunday’s Grand Prix, especially on a circuit where starting position can be vital.
The pace shown by Lando Norris and Max Verstappen indicates McLaren and Red Bull are very much in the hunt. They’ll be keen to capitalize on any potential setbacks for Hamilton. Their consistent performance suggests they could challenge for the front row, adding another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps.
The performance of George Russell, placing fourth, highlights Mercedes’ strong overall package. With both their drivers performing well, the team has valuable data and a solid foundation for the crucial qualifying runs. It will be interesting to see if this translates into a front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows.
The battles further down the grid also highlight the tight competition. Drivers like Oscar Piastri and the Audi pairing showed they have the potential to fight for points. Their ability to extract performance in a crowded midfield will be key as teams finalize their strategies for the race.
This mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli, sets a compelling tone for the weekend’s racing. Earlier this season, Toto Wolff reacted to contact between George Russell and Antonelli in the Montreal Sprint, highlighting the intense competition among Mercedes drivers.
outlook for the belgian grand prix weekend
With qualifying just hours away, the focus now shifts from practice pace to direct competition for grid positions. Antonelli’s unexpected dominance adds an exciting element, suggesting a potential shake-up at the front of the field. His ability to perform under pressure will be keenly watched.
Conversely, the pressure on Ferrari to get Hamilton’s car race-ready is immense. A good qualifying result is paramount at Spa, a circuit known for its challenging overtakes. Any compromise due to repairs could significantly impact Hamilton’s chances of a strong finish.
The close times among the top five drivers—Antonelli, Norris, Verstappen, Russell, and Hamilton—point towards a fiercely contested qualifying session. Every thousandth of a second will count, and driver errors, as Hamilton’s crash demonstrated, will be severely punished.
Teams will be analysing every data point from FP3, especially regarding tyre degradation and optimal race lines. The fluctuating track conditions and the sheer demands of Spa-Francorchamps mean that adaptability and precision will be key throughout the remaining sessions.
Ultimately, today’s events underscore the unpredictable nature of Formula 1. While Antonelli savours his top performance, Hamilton and Ferrari face an uphill battle to recover. It sets the stage for a dramatic qualifying session, with ramifications that could ripple through Sunday’s main event.