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Antonelli Secures Sixth Mercedes Pole; Norris Penalized, AM Plans Upgrade

7/19/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Kimi Antonelli clinched his sixth pole of the season at Spa-Francorchamps after battery and wheel-shield failures.
Mercedes secured pole for all ten races this season, with Antonelli delivering six.
Lando Norris will start thirteenth after a ten-place grid penalty for using a fourth battery unit.
Aston Martin plans a major upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a season marked by multiple retirements.

History

Historical Context

Mercedes’ 2014 debut of the PU106A hybrid V6, built with Renault under a 100 kg/h fuel-flow limit, yielded 16 wins from 19 races and 18 poles, setting a new performance benchmark. That dominance underpins today’s Spa pole and Kimi Antonelli’s sixth pole, while FIA penalties and Aston Martin’s development race echo the era’s regulatory-driven competition.

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Story summary

Kimi Antonelli clinched his sixth pole of the season at Spa-Francorchamps after battery and wheel-shield failures.
Mercedes secured pole for all ten races this season, with Antonelli delivering six.
Lando Norris will start thirteenth after a ten-place grid penalty for using a fourth battery unit.
Aston Martin plans a major upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a season marked by multiple retirements.

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