Oscar Piastri seized a pivotal moment to overtake teammate Lando Norris at the Moët And Chandon Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 27, overcoming challenging wet and dry track conditions at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This victory extended Piastri’s lead in the drivers’ championship to 16 points over Norris, highlighting a compelling chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the McLaren teammates and underscoring the significance of their Belgian Grand Prix performance.
Strong Finishers Round Out Competitive Top Ten
The podium was completed by Charles Leclerc, who defended fiercely against Max Verstappen’s advances to secure third place. Verstappen, competing in his first race under new team principal Laurent Mekies after Christian Horner’s departure, finished fourth, followed by George Russell of Mercedes in fifth.
Further down the order, Williams Racing’s Alex Albon secured sixth place, with Lewis Hamilton recovering impressively from 18th on the grid to seventh. Liam Lawson of Racing Bull finished eighth, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto came ninth, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the points in tenth.
Piastri Reflects on Tactical Execution to Hold Off Norris
I knew that lap one was going to be probably my best chance of winning the race,
Piastri said.
And I got a good exit out of Turn 1 and lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge, and then it was enough.
The rest of the race we managed really well, struggling a little bit at the end. Maybe the medium [tyre] wasn’t the best for the last five or six laps, but we had it mostly under control, which is what I wanted.
Championship Standings and Team Performances After Belgium
With his win, Piastri increased his points tally to 266, while Norris remains close behind at 250 points. Verstappen holds third place in the championship with 185 points. In the constructors’ competition, McLaren’s commanding total of 516 points eclipses Ferrari’s 248, with Mercedes third at 220 points, emphasizing McLaren’s dominant form this season.
Race Overview: Weather Delays and Strategic Battles Define Spa Event
The race was heavily impacted by rain, prompting a one-hour and 20-minute delay after starting behind the safety car due to dangerously low visibility. When the event resumed with a rolling start on intermediates, Norris initially led the field but soon lost control momentarily at La Source. Piastri took advantage with a decisive pass on the Kemmel Straight after Eau Rouge, establishing an early lead.
Norris reported a brief battery issue that may have contributed to his loss of grip, but the problem resolved quickly. The drying track forced teams into delicate tire management, with drivers striving to conserve intermediates long enough for a switch to slick tires.
Tire Strategy and Pit Stops Shape the Race Outcome
Lewis Hamilton was the first frontrunner to switch to medium slicks on lap 12, sparking a wave of pit stops from competitors, including Piastri, Leclerc, and Verstappen. Norris opted for hard tires, but a slow tire change hampered his pit stop, causing him to emerge seven seconds behind Piastri, who had taken the lead again.
LAP 14/44Norris follows Piastri into the pits on the following lap – he’s opted for the hard tyres while every other driver is on the mediums #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/ioDrBvqRgU
Hamilton’s early pit strategy on slicks paid dividends, allowing him to gain seven places and improve his race position significantly, showcasing strategic boldness that salvaged a challenging weekend.
The Tire Challenge: Maintaining an Edge Until the Finish
The battle between Piastri and Norris became a delicate balancing act involving tire conservation and pace management. Piastri faced the dilemma of whether to pit again or extend his stint on medium tires amid uncertain performance durability. Choosing to conserve his current tire set, Piastri managed to maintain a growing lead, despite Norris reducing the gap late in the race.
With seven laps remaining, Piastri’s lead stood at over six seconds though Norris persisted to chip away. Ultimately, the deficit never shrank below three seconds, allowing Piastri to cross the finish line comfortably ahead of Norris by 3.4 seconds.
McLaren’s Dominance Continues with Sixth 1-2 Finish of the Season
McLaren’s striking superiority in the constructors’ championship and their consistent 1-2 finishes have rendered the competition for the team title lopsided. Their wide points margin over Ferrari reflects McLaren’s strength and reliability, intensifying the drivers’ championship drama between Piastri and Norris while diminishing suspense in the team championship.
Transitions at Red Bull: Verstappen’s First Race Under Mekies
Max Verstappen completed a respectable fourth place but struggled to overtake Leclerc, highlighting the challenges facing Red Bull following Christian Horner’s abrupt exit on July 9. The legacy of Horner’s leadership, featuring eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, remains significant, but the future effectiveness of Laurent Mekies as team principal is yet to be determined.
A lighter moment unfolded as Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, declined to engage in criticism of Horner when approached during grid activities, illustrating unresolved tensions within the Red Bull camp.
Lewis Hamilton’s Recovery Reflects Strategic Risk and Resilience
Despite a difficult qualifying weekend and starting 18th, Hamilton’s bold decision to be the first to switch from intermediates to slicks enabled him to claw back positions, finishing seventh for Ferrari. This strategic gamble contrasted with his qualifying eliminations and demonstrated his experience in managing adverse situations.
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Hamilton’s performance at Spa may not have been sweet like champagne, but it displayed a capacity to adapt and recover under pressure.
Engaging Moments on the Grid and Driver Encounters
The pre-race atmosphere included a memorable grid walk featuring Nico Rosberg and Martin Brundle, who skillfully navigated the rainy conditions alongside attempts to provoke reactions from prominent figures like Jos Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas. Bottas responded coyly to questions about potential future moves, maintaining a guarded stance amid the swirling rumors.
Piastri’s Commanding Performance Highlights Emerging Talent
While Hamilton and Verstappen showed notable performances, the standout display belonged to Oscar Piastri. His quick reaction to capitalize on Norris’s mistake and his adept management of tire wear throughout 31 laps secured a crucial win. This result amplifies his status as a rising talent in Formula 1 and deepens his championship lead at this critical stage of the season.
Final Results from the Moët And Chandon Belgian Grand Prix
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — Race Winner
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Alex Albon (Williams Racing)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bull)
9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
This race at Spa-Francorchamps shifted the momentum in the drivers’ championship, reinforcing McLaren’s dominance and setting the stage for intense battles as the season progresses. With Piastri now comfortably ahead and Verstappen facing challenges under new leadership, the unfolding contest promises continued action and unpredictability in Formula 1.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lando Norris a billionaire?
A. Lando Norris, the British race car driver, started in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2019. His estimated earnings are around $30 million, or £22.6 million.
