George Russell ‘numb to disappointment’ after crash as Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix

It's the Italian's sixth win of the season, and double his title advantage over Russell from 25 points to 50

COOLER: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy pours Champagne over his head in celebration on the podium following victor in the Belgian Grand Prix. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images

An emotional George Russell said he has grown “numb to disappointment” after he crashed out of the opening lap of a Belgian Grand Prix won by championship rival Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli cleared Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with 10 laps remaining at Spa-Francorchamps to take his sixth win of the season, and double his title advantage over Russell from 25 points to 50.

Leclerc, unable to follow up his British Grand Prix triumph a fortnight ago with another win, crossed the line 1.9 seconds back from Antonelli with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth. He endured an eventful afternoon in the Ardennes, first colliding with Russell – for which he was sanctioned with a five-second penalty – before he ran over his own mechanic in the pit lane when he was erroneously given the green light to rejoin the track. The mechanic appeared to escape without significant injury.

Hamilton was able to take advantage of Russell’s demise to move back up to second in the championship, albeit now 45 points behind the impressive Antonelli. However, the 41-year-old faces a post-race investigation for Ferrari’s “unsafe release”.

More to follow