Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix to extend championship lead after Russell crashes out

Kimi Antonelli saw off a challenge from Charles Leclerc to get back to winning ways at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday as his team-mate and title rival George Russell failed to finish. Antonelli started on pole but lost the lead to Leclerc when a virtual safety car slowdown allowed the Ferrari driver to save time during his pit stop. Antonelli sped back past Leclerc with 10 laps remaining and cruised from there to his sixth win of the season and first since last month’s Monaco Grand Prix. Leclerc was second and Max Verstappen was third after briefly taking, then losing, the lead from Antonelli on the opening lap. The Italian stretched his standings lead after Russell was left stuck in the gravel on the first lap after he was pushed into a spin by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli went into the race with a 25-point lead over Russell after recent reliability issues for the Italian cut his advantage. That has now nearly doubled. Antonelli will leave Belgium with a 45-point gap over Hamilton, who moved up to second, and is 50 ahead of Russell. More to follow...