SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium), July 18: Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli lapped fastest for Mercedes in final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday, while Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari in the dying seconds of the session at Spa-Francorchamps.
Italian Antonelli, 19, clocked a best time of one minute 45.990 seconds, 0.139 quicker than McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third on the timesheets with Antonelli’s teammate and closest title rival George Russell fourth.
Hamilton was fifth fastest but left his mechanics with a race against time to repair the car after he went off into the gravel at Fagnes and clouted the tyre wall, smashing the rear wing and suspension and sending debris across the track as the car bounced in the air.
“I’ve destroyed the car, mate. I’m sorry,” the seven-time world champion told his race engineer over the team radio, before getting out and inspecting the damage.
“No problem,” replied his race engineer Carlo Santi.
Hamilton is third in the championship, 32 points behind Antonelli, who leads Russell by 25 after nine rounds.
Verstappen slowed for double yellow flags after the accident and Williams’ Carlos Sainz almost ran into the back of his car.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was sixth fastest, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Audi pair Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar completing the top 10.
FERRARI RACING AGAINST TIME
Ferrari is rushing to get Lewis Hamilton’s car repaired in time for qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix later Saturday after the seven-time Formula 1 champion hit a barrier in practice.
Hamilton ran wide over a gravel trap and clipped the barrier with his rear-right wheel, smashing the suspension and causing other damage to the back of the car.
“I’ve destroyed the car, mate, sorry,” he told the team over the radio.
The British driver was left to watch the end of the third practice session from behind a wall as the rest of the field headed to the pits ahead of qualifying. (Agencies)
