SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM — Oscar Piastri claimed a brilliant sixth victory of the season in a rain-delayed and tactically intense Belgian Grand Prix, expertly managing tyres and timing to beat McLaren teammate Lando Norris on a soaked and drying Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The young Australian extended his lead in the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship to 16 points ahead of next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, showcasing not just speed but also racecraft and maturity under pressure.
Delayed Drama: Rain Halts the Start
Heavy rain and poor visibility forced a delay of nearly 90 minutes, with drivers initially taking the formation lap behind the safety car. Conditions worsened, prompting a red flag and an extended wait in the pit lane.
When the race finally resumed — after four more laps behind the safety car — Piastri wasted no time. On the first competitive racing lap, he launched a bold and calculated move through Eau Rouge and into Les Combes, diving around the outside of Norris to seize the lead.
“I knew that lap one was going to be my best chance of winning the race,” said Piastri. “I lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge. A bit lively over the hill, but it worked out perfectly.”
Tyre Strategy Splits McLaren Drivers
The race transitioned from wet to dry, with strategy becoming the deciding factor. Both Piastri and Norris opted for slick tyres around lap 12, but crucially, Piastri pitted a lap earlier, gaining an advantage as Norris had to do an extra lap on fading intermediates.
While Piastri switched to mediums, Norris gambled on hard tyres, aiming to reach the finish without another stop. The move sparked internal tension in the McLaren garage, as the two teammates diverged in their tactical approach.
“We thought Oscar might have to stop again,” admitted Norris post-race. “But he managed his tyres really well and deserved the win.”
Despite some late-race pressure from Norris, who closed the gap to within four seconds, Piastri held on to win by 3.4 seconds.
Championship Implications: Verstappen Fades as Piastri Pulls Away
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen endured another disappointing afternoon, finishing fourth behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Verstappen struggled in the wet early stages and couldn’t recover enough pace in the dry stint, failing to pass Leclerc despite applying pressure late in the race.
Now trailing Piastri by 81 points in the championship, Verstappen’s hopes of a title defence are all but mathematically over unless something extraordinary happens.
Leclerc, meanwhile, impressed by holding third despite running a lower-downforce setup — a challenge in the wet but advantageous once the track dried.
Hamilton Steals the Spotlight with Stunning Recovery Drive
One of the race’s biggest stories came from Lewis Hamilton, who started from the pit lane after Mercedes altered his car’s setup overnight. The seven-time world champion, relegated to 16th due to a qualifying error, delivered a brilliant comeback filled with daring overtakes.
Hamilton was the first to switch to slicks on lap 11, a bold move that paid off as he gained several positions during the pit window. He eventually finished seventh, closing in on Alex Albon in the final laps but falling just short of passing the Williams driver.
George Russell added more points for Mercedes with a solid fifth-place finish after an early pass on Albon in the wet conditions.
Final Belgian Grand Prix Race Results (Top 10):
| Position | Driver | Team | Tyre Strategy | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | Inter → Medium | — |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Inter → Hard | +3.4s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Inter → Medium | +8.2s |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Inter → Medium | +9.0s |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | Inter → Medium | +16.5s |
| 6 | Alex Albon | Williams | Inter → Medium | +20.3s |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Inter → Medium | +20.9s |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | Inter → Medium | +25.1s |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | Inter → Medium | +29.8s |
| 10 | Nico Hülkenberg | Haas | Inter → Medium | +32.7s |
Conclusion: Spa Belongs to Piastri
Oscar Piastri’s win in Belgium was more than just a race victory — it was a statement of championship intent. In a season where McLaren is proving a genuine force, the 23-year-old continues to shine, handling high-stakes moments like a seasoned veteran.
As the grid moves toward Hungary next weekend, all eyes will be on whether Piastri can maintain momentum and keep the likes of Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen at bay in what’s turning into a compelling F1 title race.
