Oscar Piastri Clinches Belgian Grand Prix Win in Thrilling McLaren Duel

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps delivered a dramatic showcase of strategy, resilience, and raw pace, with Oscar Piastri securing a vital win for McLaren amidst challenging weather and fierce intra-team competition. Piastri’s victory over teammate Lando Norris not only marked his sixth win of the season, but also extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship.

Rain Delays and a Chaotic Start

The race weekend was thrown into uncertainty as heavy rain hammered Spa, forcing Race Control to initiate the event behind the Safety Car. Visibility was a major concern, leading to a red flag even before competitors could complete the formation lap. After more than an hour’s delay, the field finally got underway at 16:20 local time, with four laps behind the Safety Car before a rolling start on lap 5.

McLaren’s Strategy Pays Off

Piastri wasted no time, overtaking pole-sitter Norris down the long Kemmel Straight and swiftly building a gap as Norris struggled with battery issues. The McLaren strategy team was put to the test as the drying track prompted tough calls on tire changes.

• Early tire switches: Lewis Hamilton was first to gamble on slicks, prompting a flurry of pit stops from the front runners.
• Pit stop drama: Piastri’s timely switch to mediums on lap 13 allowed him to maintain the lead, while Norris’s delayed stop and switch to hards saw him drop nearly nine seconds behind.
• Midfield movers: Hamilton and George Russell made significant gains, exploiting the chaotic pit phase to climb into the points.

Key Race Moments and Battles

While the McLarens controlled the front, battles raged throughout the field:

• Leclerc vs. Verstappen: Charles Leclerc held off a determined Max Verstappen, despite severe tire degradation.
• Action in the midfield: George Russell, Alex Albon, and Liam Lawson staged impressive drives to secure points.
• Late-race tension: Norris gradually closed the gap to Piastri, but a mistake at La Source on the penultimate lap sealed his fate, finishing four seconds adrift.

Final Results and Standings

The chequered flag saw Piastri take victory, Norris in second, and Leclerc rounding out the podium. Verstappen finished just off the rostrum in fourth. The win pushed Piastri’s championship lead to 17 points, while McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish of the season.

What’s Next?

With Piastri extending his lead, the title race remains wide open as F1 heads into the second half of the season. Can Norris bounce back, or will Piastri’s consistency carry him to a maiden world championship? Stay tuned for all the latest race breakdowns and championship updates on Lets Talk F1.