2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix Provisional Starting Grid Revealed

















































The provisional starting grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix has been released, following a thrilling qualifying session where Kimi Antonelli secured a remarkable pole position. However, significant changes are set to affect the final lineup, with several prominent drivers facing grid penalties due to mandatory engine component replacements. These penalties promise to reshuffle the starting order and add an extra layer of anticipation to Sunday’s main event.
2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix Provisional Starting Grid Revealed
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG F1 displayed an impressive performance, capturing pole position. This achievement marks a significant moment for the young talent, who showcased exceptional skill during the qualifying rounds. Nevertheless, the grid will not remain as initially qualified. Key drivers such as McLaren’s Lando Norris, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso have incurred penalties for engine changes. These regulations mean they will start further down the grid than their qualifying results would suggest.
The revised starting grid sees Antonelli leading the pack from pole, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing alongside him in second. George Russell, representing Mercedes, will start from third, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth. Further down the grid, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) will commence in fifth, and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in sixth. Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls and Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi will occupy the seventh and eighth spots, respectively. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) round out the top ten. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) and Franco Colapinto (Alpine) are positioned eleventh and twelfth. Due to penalties, Lando Norris (McLaren) will start thirteenth, followed by Carlos Sainz (Williams) in fourteenth. Oliver Bearman (Haas) is set to start fifteenth, with Alexander Albon (Williams) in sixteenth. Esteban Ocon (Haas) and Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) will start seventeenth and eighteenth, while Sergio Pérez (Cadillac) will begin nineteenth. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) are placed twentieth and twenty-first respectively due to their penalties. Finally, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) faces the deepest penalty, starting in twenty-second.
This penalty-laden grid sets the stage for a dramatic race. Drivers will need to navigate the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit with precision, and those starting further back will have their work cut out for them to climb through the field. The dynamic nature of these penalties often leads to exciting overtakes and strategic battles, promising an enthralling Grand Prix for fans and competitors alike.