Valtteri Bottas jokes about role in Antonelli’s Belgian GP win

Valtteri Bottas joked that Kimi Antonelli should buy him dinner after his Cadillac inadvertently slowed Charles Leclerc, allowing Antonelli to reclaim the lead and win the Belgian Grand Prix on July 18, 2026. The Finn’s slower pace in the high-speed Spa-Francorchamps corners created a brief gap that Antonelli exploited to overtake Leclerc.

What happened during the race?

Bottas, starting 19th in the Cadillac, was lapped by Leclerc and Antonelli during their battle for the lead. As Leclerc approached, Bottas was navigating the Fagnes corners, where the Ferrari and Mercedes closed in rapidly-cutting five seconds in just one lap. Leclerc caught Bottas at Campus/Stavelot, a tight section with little room for maneuver.

The delay gave Antonelli a crucial aerodynamic advantage. He used the slipstream to pass Leclerc at Les Combes, retaking the lead. Bottas, unaware of the outcome until after the race, quipped, 'Kimi can buy me dinner…' when told his role in the victory.

Why it matters for Valtteri Bottas

The incident highlighted the challenges Bottas faces in the Cadillac, particularly with tyre degradation in high-speed corners. 'It’s still a bit of reliability, but also our tyre degradation is quite big,' he admitted. Despite his team’s struggles, Bottas’ unintentional interference became a talking point, showing how even small moments can swing a race.

What comes next for Bottas?

Bottas acknowledged the need for improvements, especially in managing tyre wear. 'We just don’t have the load in the high-speed corners, and that’s when we slide and kill the tyres,' he said. With the next race looming, Bottas and his team will focus on refining their setup to avoid similar struggles.