Oscar Piastri achieved a remarkable victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, showcasing his talent and determination in a dramatic race. After a delay exceeding an hour due to heavy rain, the Australian driver, representing McLaren, seized the opportunity on the first racing lap, overtaking his teammate and rival, Lando Norris, as the safety car exited the pits.
Piastri’s strategy was clear; he opted to push aggressively through the challenging Eau Rouge section, aiming to maintain momentum while slightly easing off the accelerator. Notably, Norris reported battery issues during the race, raising concerns that were confirmed by McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, who stated a minor battery malfunction needed investigation.
Despite Norris narrowing the gap towards the end of the race, Piastri expertly managed his worn tyres, successfully defending his lead to claim his sixth win of the season. This triumph allowed him to increase his championship lead over Norris from nine to 16 points, also denying his teammate a third consecutive victory. Piastri’s impressive skills were particularly evident after he had finished second to Norris in the Saturday’s sprint.
Although the weather conditions led to a less dramatic race than previous events, with many drivers transitioning to dry tyres in unison, Piastri’s performance stood out. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, racing under new team management, was unable to gain ground on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, finishing in fourth place.
While George Russell secured fifth for Mercedes, Alex Albon followed closely in sixth for Williams. Lewis Hamilton displayed tenacity by starting from 18th and moving through the field to finish seventh. Other notable placements included Liam Lawson in eighth, Gabriel Bortoleto for Sauber in ninth, and Pierre Gasly rounding out the top ten for Alpine.
With Piastri’s victory marking McLaren’s first win in Belgium since Jenson Button’s success in 2012, his performance has generated excitement for the remainder of the championship. Reflecting on his race, Piastri acknowledged that starting second was, in fact, advantageous, demonstrating a bright future ahead.