Belgian Grand Prix FP3: Antonelli Sends Championship Warning as Hamilton’s Crash Shakes Ferrari

The Belgian Grand Prix FP3 delivered everything Formula 1 fans hoped for—raw pace, late drama, and a major championship storyline.

Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli topped the final practice session at Spa-Francorchamps, continuing his impressive weekend form ahead of qualifying. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari during the closing moments of FP3, forcing Ferrari into a race against time to repair the car before qualifying.

The dramatic session has completely changed the mood heading into one of the most important qualifying sessions of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Belgian Grand Prix FP3 Results: Antonelli Leads the Field

The Belgian Grand Prix FP3 confirmed that Mercedes has found exceptional speed around Spa.

Antonelli delivered the fastest lap of the session with a 1:45.990, finishing ahead of Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen completed the top three. George Russell placed fourth, with Lewis Hamilton recording the fifth-fastest time before his late accident.

Antonelli’s pace follows his strong performances on Friday, reinforcing Mercedes’ confidence heading into qualifying.

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Lewis Hamilton Crash Turns Belgian Grand Prix FP3 Into Chaos

The biggest moment of the Belgian Grand Prix FP3 came in the final seconds.

Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari through the Fagnes chicane, sliding into the barriers and damaging the rear suspension and rear wing. Over team radio, the British driver apologized after the impact, leaving Ferrari mechanics with limited time to prepare the car for qualifying.

Although the crash interrupted Hamilton’s preparation, Ferrari worked immediately to ensure the car would be ready for the next session.

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Why Antonelli Looks Like the Driver to Beat

The young Mercedes driver has looked comfortable throughout the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

His strengths have included:

• Outstanding qualifying pace
• Excellent tyre management
• Strong confidence through Spa’s high-speed corners
• Consistent long-run performance
• Growing championship momentum

Mercedes has steadily improved the car after making overnight setup changes, allowing Antonelli to dominate the final practice session.

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Can Ferrari Recover Before Qualifying?

Hamilton’s accident presents Ferrari with several immediate challenges.

The team must inspect:

• Rear suspension
• Rear wing
• Gearbox
• Floor
• Diffuser
• Aerodynamic components

If repairs are completed successfully, Hamilton should still be able to compete in qualifying.

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Max Verstappen Still in the Fight

Although Antonelli topped the timesheets, Max Verstappen remains firmly in contention.

The Red Bull driver showed competitive pace throughout practice and continues to look dangerous over a single lap.

Spa has traditionally suited Verstappen’s driving style, making him one of the favourites despite Mercedes’ impressive pace.

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What FP3 Means for Qualifying

Practice results don’t decide pole position, but they reveal valuable trends.

The biggest takeaways include:

• Mercedes appears quickest over one lap.
• Ferrari’s preparation has been disrupted.
• Red Bull remains within striking distance.
• McLaren continues to show strong pace despite grid considerations.

Qualifying at Spa is expected to be one of the closest sessions of the season.

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Championship Battle Gets Even More Intense

Every session now matters in the 2026 Formula 1 title race.

Antonelli continues strengthening his championship challenge with another statement performance, while Hamilton faces additional pressure after losing valuable preparation time. George Russell and Verstappen also remain firmly in contention as the championship battle heads into another crucial weekend.

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Final Thoughts

The Belgian Grand Prix FP3 produced exactly the kind of drama Formula 1 fans expect from Spa-Francorchamps.

Kimi Antonelli’s fastest lap confirmed Mercedes’ pace, while Lewis Hamilton’s late crash created uncertainty just hours before qualifying. With Verstappen, Russell, Norris, and Ferrari all capable of fighting near the front, the battle for pole position promises to be one of the most exciting qualifying sessions of the season.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was fastest in Belgian Grand Prix FP3?

Kimi Antonelli topped Belgian Grand Prix FP3 for Mercedes with the quickest lap of the session.

Why did Lewis Hamilton crash in FP3?

Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari at the Fagnes chicane late in the session, damaging the rear of the car before qualifying.

Will Hamilton race in qualifying?

Ferrari worked to repair the car after the crash, with the expectation that Hamilton would be ready for qualifying if repairs were completed in time.

Who are the favourites for the Belgian Grand Prix?

Based on practice, Antonelli, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, and Hamilton all appear capable of fighting near the front.

Why is Spa qualifying so important?

Spa-Francorchamps is one of Formula 1’s longest and most demanding circuits, making track position and qualifying performance especially important.


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