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Kimi Antonelli beats Red Bull's team effort to qualify on pole for F1's Belgian Grand Prix
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 18, 2026
· 3 min read
It took two of Kimi Antonelli's rivals working together to put the Formula 1 standings leader to the test. It still wasn't enough.The 19-year-old Italian beat a display of Red Bull formation flying to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in qualifying on Saturday and boost his push to be...
Key takeaway The 19-year-old Italian beat a display of Red Bull formation flying to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in qualifying on Saturday and boost his push to be the youngest-ever champion.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's racing fans are likely to be paying close attention to the Belgian Grand Prix, given the intense competition between Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. As the youngest-ever champion contender, Antonelli's performance will be closely watched, and his pole position qualifies him for a strong start. The fact that Verstappen's Red Bull team employed formation flying tactics to try and outmaneuver Antonelli adds an extra layer of intrigue to the race. With Verstappen and George Russell starting second and third, respectively, the grid is set for a thrilling competition. San Antonio residents who follow Formula 1 will be interested to see how Antonelli's Mercedes performs against the Red Bull cars in race conditions, and whether he can maintain his lead throughout the Belgian Grand Prix. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the championship standings, making it a must-watch event for local racing enthusiasts.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? It took two of Kimi Antonelli's rivals working together to put the Formula 1 standings leader to the test. It still wasn't enough.The 19-year-old Italian beat a display of Red Bull formation flying to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in qualifying on Saturday and boost his push to be...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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