The starting grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix has been finalized following a series of grid penalties that have significantly altered the order ahead of Sunday’s race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Mercedes youngster and championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start from pole position after delivering a dominant qualifying performance. The Italian produced a stunning lap to finish more than half a second faster than anyone else, underlining Mercedes’ impressive pace as he looks to strengthen his advantage in the drivers’ championship.
Although George Russell qualified fourth, the Mercedes driver has been promoted to third on the grid after penalties for rivals ahead of him. Max Verstappen will line up alongside Antonelli on the front row after an impressive qualifying effort. The reigning four-time world champion benefited from a well-timed slipstream from Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, allowing him to close the gap to within three-tenths of Antonelli’s benchmark.
One of the biggest changes to the grid involves McLaren’s Lando Norris. The Briton originally secured third place in qualifying but has been dropped 10 places after McLaren fitted a fourth control electronics unit, exceeding the maximum allocation permitted under Formula 1 regulations for the season. The penalty pushes Norris down to 13th on the starting grid.
Norris’ setback has promoted Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton into stronger starting positions. Leclerc will begin the race from fourth, while seven-time world champion Hamilton moves up to fifth. Oscar Piastri also gains a place and will start sixth for McLaren.
Several additional penalties have reshuffled the midfield and back of the grid. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll received a 10-place grid penalty after exceeding his permitted allocation of MGU-K components. As a result, he drops to 20th on the grid.
Meanwhile, both Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso have accumulated more than 15 places worth of engine-related penalties after multiple power unit component changes. Under FIA regulations, both drivers are required to start from the back of the field regardless of their qualifying positions, leaving them 21st and 22nd respectively.
With penalties affecting several key contenders, Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix promises an intriguing battle from lights out. Antonelli will aim to convert pole position into another victory, while Verstappen, Russell and the Ferrari pair will all be looking to challenge for the win. Attention will also be on Norris as he attempts to recover through the field, while Hadjar and Alonso face the difficult task of climbing from the very back of the grid.
F1 2026 Belgian Grand Prix Starting Grid
Pos Driver Team
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull
3 George Russell Mercedes
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
5 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
6 Oscar Piastri McLaren
7 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls
8 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi
9 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls
10 Pierre Gasly Alpine
11 Franco Colapinto Alpine
12 Nico Hülkenberg Audi
13 Lando Norris* McLaren
14 Carlos Sainz Williams
15 Oliver Bearman Haas
16 Alex Albon Williams
17 Esteban Ocon Haas
18 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac
19 Sergio Perez Cadillac
20 Lance Stroll** Aston Martin
21 Isack Hadjar* Red Bull 22 Fernando Alonso** Aston Martin
Penalty notes:
• *Lando Norris – 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the permitted control electronics allocation.
• **Lance Stroll – 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the allowed MGU-K allocation.
• ***Isack Hadjar – Starts from the back after exceeding the maximum permitted power unit component changes.
• ****Fernando Alonso – Starts from the back after exceeding the maximum permitted power unit component changes.
