F1 Star Hamilton's Practice Disaster Rocks The Circuit
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari was extensively damaged in a late crash during the final practice at the Belgian Grand Prix, putting his qualifying in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressively topped the session, potentially eyeing pole position amidst grid penalties for other drivers. The session was filled with drama, highlighting intense competition.
The final practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix was marked by significant drama, most notably a severe crash involving seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, which has cast serious doubt over his participation in qualifying. Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari exiting the Fagnes left-right complex, spinning onto the gravel before his right-rear wheel collided violently with the barrier. This incident bore a striking resemblance to an earlier crash by Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
Following the shunt, Ferrari mechanics are engaged in a frantic race against time to repair Hamilton’s damaged car before the crucial qualifying session. Despite the tight schedule, the team has expressed confidence in their ability to complete the necessary repairs, aiming to get Hamilton back on track.
In stark contrast to Hamilton's misfortune, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli delivered another commanding performance, finishing the session at the top of the timesheets. The Italian posted an impressive lap of 1:45.990, demonstrating a lead of 0.139 seconds over McLaren’s Lando Norris. Antonelli’s best time was achieved earlier in the session, even with a mistake on his final flying lap. Commentator Bird noted Antonelli's satisfaction, observing that the young driver likely had "two, three, even four tenths in his pocket" despite his error.
Max Verstappen secured the third-fastest time, just 0.148 seconds behind Antonelli. Antonelli's Mercedes team-mate, George Russell, placed fourth, 0.367 seconds off the pace. Prior to his crash, Hamilton had been holding the fifth position, ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The qualifying landscape is further complicated by impending grid penalties. Lando Norris, along with several other drivers, faces a 10-place grid penalty this weekend due to exceeding engine component limits. This situation potentially creates a significant opportunity for Kimi Antonelli to secure a maiden pole position. The session also saw late excitement when Verstappen encountered double yellow flags, forcing him to brake sharply, a maneuver that nearly led to a collision with Williams’ Carlos Sainz.