F1 LIVE: Antonelli wins in Spa as Hamilton hears stewards verdict

Kimi Antonelli claimed victory in the Belgian Grand Prix after prevailing in a thrilling battle with Charles Leclerc, while also extending his championship lead thanks to the retirement of teammate George Russell. The young Italian, who had claimed pole position a day earlier, was able to navigate the tricky conditions around the Ardennes Forest to claim victory.

The race kicked off in classic Spa fashion, with Max Verstappen in second place overtaking Antonelli, albeit briefly, before the Mercedes driver responded at Les Combes. Amid the early exchange for the lead, Lewis Hamilton tangled with former teammate Russell, which spelt the end of the Mercedes driver's race.

Shortly afterwards, it was the turn of Leclerc to be involved in contact with Oscar Piastri, with the McLaren driver losing part of his front wing endplate. Further down the grid, Esteban Ocon was also involved in an incident which prompted an early Virtual Safety Car.

Amid the chaos that unfolded, it was Antonelli who, despite falling on the wrong side of the Virtual Safety Cars that interrupted the flow of the race, was able to take victory. The Mercedes driver completed a late move on Leclerc to clinch his sixth win of the campaign and further extend his championship lead over Hamilton.

Hamilton avoided a time penalty for hitting his own Ferrari mechanic when being released from the pits during the Belgian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion was under investigation for an unsafe pit release in which he knocked down a mechanic as he left his pit box. The mechanic attempted to make a quick last-minute change to his front wing, only for Hamilton to be shown the green light, giving him the go-ahead to drive out of his box.

The mechanic was struck by Hamilton's car and fell to the floor, but no injuries were reported in the incident. There had been some concern over whether Hamilton might receive a time penalty after already serving a five-second penalty for causing a collision that forced the retirement of George Russell.

It has now been confirmed that Hamilton has avoided a time penalty and will keep his fourth-place finish from the Belgian Grand Prix. However, Ferrari have been handed a €30,000 fine, of which €10,000 is suspended for 12 months on the condition that the competitor does not commit a similar infringement in the meantime.