Antonelli wins to extend lead after Russell crashes out

21 hours ago 4
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Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli re-established the comfortable championship lead that had been eroded in the past three races with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix while team-mate George Russell crashed out.

The Italian fought back from a delay caused by a virtual safety-car period to catch and pass Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for his sixth win in 10 races this season.

Russell, meanwhile, was taken out in a collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap and has dropped to third place in the standings, 50 points behind Antonelli.

Hamilton was re-promoted to second place in the championship, three points ahead of Russell with a fourth-place finish.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the final podium place.

The key stories of a surprisingly compelling race were:

  • More bad luck for Russell as the gains he had made in recent races were wiped out within seconds of the start

  • The virtual safety car that gave Leclerc an unexpected shot at a second consecutive victory

  • The VSC also affecting Lando Norris, who had been looking set for a podium challenge after a penalty left him 13th on the grid

More to follow

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