Oscar Piastri secured a commanding win at the Belgian Grand Prix, navigating a rain-delayed race and intense pressure from teammate Lando Norris to claim his sixth victory of the season. The McLaren driver executed a bold overtake on the opening lap and maintained a firm grip on the lead throughout the eventful afternoon at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The race start was postponed by over an hour due to heavy rainfall, with organizers opting for a safety car start once conditions improved. When racing began in earnest, Piastri immediately demonstrated his intent, making a daring move on Norris through the challenging Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex. The Australian carried immense speed through the sweeping corners and used the slipstream on the Kemmel Straight to seize the lead at Les Combes.
“That first lap presented my best opportunity,” Piastri noted afterward. “I minimized my lift through Eau Rouge and it proved decisive.”
Once in front, Piastri managed the race with precision, maintaining his advantage despite Norris switching to a different tire strategy in the latter stages. The British driver closed to within 3.4 seconds but couldn’t mount a serious challenge for the lead, ultimately finishing second.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third position, while Max Verstappen recovered to fourth after a difficult qualifying. Lewis Hamilton delivered an impressive performance, climbing from 18th on the grid to seventh in changeable conditions.
The victory extends Piastri’s championship lead to 16 points over Norris with 11 rounds remaining, setting up an intense battle between the McLaren teammates for the title. The Australian’s performance in Belgium demonstrated both his raw speed and strategic maturity, qualities that will prove crucial as the season approaches its climax.
