Oscar Piastri Shines at Belgian GP, Secures Sixth Victory of the Season

Oscar Piastri delivered an exceptional performance at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, taking his sixth victory of the season in a race marked by challenging wet-dry conditions. The Australian McLaren driver overtook teammate Lando Norris on the opening racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps and showcased masterful tire management to maintain his lead, ultimately extending his championship advantage to 16 points.

Delayed Start Amid Torrential Rain

The race at Spa-Francorchamps was delayed by 80 minutes due to heavy rain, reminiscent of the 2021 Belgian GP, which was cut short under similar circumstances. Initially scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time, the drivers completed one formation lap behind the safety car before the FIA deemed the conditions undriveable. After a long wait, the race finally resumed at 4:20 p.m. with a rolling start, leading to four safety car laps before the action commenced on Lap 5.

Norris, starting from pole, led the pack into Turn 1, but Piastri demonstrated his strategic prowess by closely following through Eau Rouge and executing a brilliant move on the Kemmel Straight to claim the lead. As Norris struggled with a lack of battery power, Piastri capitalized on the opportunity, leaving no room for error.

Piastri’s Tactical Mastery

Once in the lead, Piastri managed to stay ahead despite Norris’ efforts to close the gap. The pivotal moment came when both drivers pitted to switch to slick, dry-weather tires. Piastri opted for medium tires, while Norris gambled on the harder compound, hoping to avoid an additional stop. This strategy, however, worked in Piastri’s favor, as he skillfully stretched the life of his mediums to the very end, even as Norris began to gain ground in the final laps.

Speaking after the race, Piastri credited his decisive first-lap move for setting the tone of the race. “I knew Lap 1 was going to be my best chance of winning the race,” he said. “I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge, and the slipstream helped me out.” He added that while he initially doubted whether his tires could last, he managed to keep the situation under control.

McLaren’s Dominance and the Competition

McLaren’s dominance was evident throughout the race, with Piastri and Norris finishing comfortably ahead of the rest of the field. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the final podium position, finishing over 20 seconds behind the McLaren duo. Leclerc managed to fend off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished fourth, further dimming his championship hopes. “Max was behind the whole race within two seconds, so it’s never easy,” Leclerc remarked, praising his team’s strategy in the tricky conditions.

Mercedes’ George Russell took fifth place, while Williams driver Alex Albon delivered an impressive performance to finish sixth. Lewis Hamilton, starting from the pit lane after a disappointing qualifying session, climbed to seventh, showcasing his skill in challenging conditions. Other notable performances included Liam Lawson in eighth for Racing Bulls and Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in ninth.

Championship Implications

Piastri’s victory not only solidified his position as the championship leader with 266 points but also ended Norris’ momentum, who had claimed back-to-back victories in Austria and Britain. Norris remains second in the standings with 250 points, while Verstappen sits a distant third with 185 points.

As Formula 1 heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend, Piastri holds a 16-point advantage over his teammate. The Hungarian GP will mark the final race before the summer break, giving teams a chance to regroup ahead of the European season’s conclusion.

In a season filled with intense rivalries and unpredictable conditions, Piastri’s victory at Spa-Francorchamps underscores his growing stature as a formidable contender in Formula 1. With the championship battle heating up, all eyes now turn to Hungary.