The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix erupted into drama within moments of the race start after Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell made contact on the opening lap at Spa-Francorchamps, forcing Russell into an immediate retirement and prompting an FIA investigation.
Starting from the lower end of the top positions, Hamilton enjoyed an excellent launch and gained momentum through the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon sequence. Benefiting from a powerful slipstream along the Kemmel Straight, the seven-time world champion drew alongside Russell as the pair battled fiercely for fourth place.
However, their fight ended abruptly on the exit of Turn 3. Hamilton’s front-left wheel made contact with Russell’s Mercedes, sending Russell spinning into the barriers. The incident left Russell’s car stranded at the side of the circuit, bringing his race to an end before he had completed a single lap.
Speaking over the team radio moments after the collision, Hamilton explained that he had little control over the situation.
> “The car crossed over in front of me. I was right behind another car, so I had no front end.”
The accident immediately triggered a Safety Car deployment. In addition to Russell’s stranded Mercedes, Haas driver Esteban Ocon had also gone off the circuit during the hectic opening lap, requiring marshals to safely recover both cars before racing could resume.
At the front of the field, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli capitalized on the early chaos to assume the race lead, strengthening his position in the championship battle while one of his closest rivals, Russell, watched from the sidelines.
Race stewards quickly confirmed that the Hamilton-Russell collision had been placed under investigation. Officials are expected to review onboard footage, telemetry data, and other available evidence before determining whether either driver was predominantly responsible for the incident. Any decision could have significant implications for Hamilton, depending on whether the FIA considers the contact avoidable.
The collision represents another difficult chapter for Mercedes during a season in which both drivers have been battling at the sharp end of the championship. With valuable points disappearing after only a few corners, Russell’s title hopes suffered a major setback, while Hamilton’s race continued under the scrutiny of the stewards.
The opening-lap crash also reshaped the competitive order at Spa, handing Antonelli a golden opportunity to extend his championship advantage if he can convert his early lead into victory.
As the race unfolded, fans and analysts awaited the FIA’s verdict on one of the most significant incidents of the Belgian Grand Prix, with the possibility of penalties still looming over Hamilton depending on the outcome of the investigation.
