New Delhi, July 20 -- SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - George Russell walked away from a crumpled car at Les Combes on the opening lap while his teammate was already building a gap at the front of the field. Kimi Antonelli converted that position into his sixth win of the 2026 Formula 1 season on Sunday, defeating Charles Leclerc by 1.9 seconds at the Belgian Grand Prix to extend his championship lead to 45 points and stake his most convincing claim yet to the title before the summer break.

Russell's retirement was the race's first decisive moment. The Mercedes driver lost battery power halfway along the Kemmel Straight on the opening lap and was swamped by the trailing field. He made contact with Lewis Hamilton at the Les Combes chicane before spinn...