Piastri conquers the Belgian GP and extends his lead in the F1 World Championship

Piastri Dominates in Belgium and Extends Championship Lead

Oscar Piastri, with an impeccable performance, took the victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, surpassing his teammate and rival in the championship, Lando Norris. Piastri’s bold overtaking maneuver in the early laps proved crucial in securing his sixth win of the season and the eighth of his career.

Despite Norris starting from the pole position and having a tire advantage in the final stages, Piastri remained calm and crossed the finish line with a 3.41-second lead. This victory not only gives Piastri a 16-point lead in the championship but also interrupts Norris’s streak of three consecutive victories.

Come on! Good job. Very good job.

Oscar Piastri

Piastri, visibly emotional, highlighted the importance of the first lap and the race strategy. “I knew that the first lap would be my best opportunity to win the race. I had a good start from turn 1, I lifted as little as I dared in Eau Rouge. We managed the rest of the race very well. I struggled at the end. Maybe the mediums weren’t the best for the last five or six laps. We had almost everything under control,” commented the driver.

Norris, for his part, acknowledged his teammate’s superiority at the start. “Oscar simply did a good job at the beginning. Nothing more to say. I committed a little more at Eau Rouge, and I got the slipstream and got the momentum. So I have nothing to complain about. He did a better job at the beginning, and that was it. I couldn’t do anything more after that point. I would love to be on top, but Oscar deserved it today,” he declared. Charles Leclerc achieved a valuable podium for Ferrari, surpassing the defending champion Max Verstappen, although both were relegated behind the dominant McLarens. The race was delayed by heavy rain before the start, but the track dried quickly, allowing the use of slick tires on lap 12. After a wait of more than an hour, the race resumed behind the safety car. Norris led the first lap, but Piastri quickly demonstrated why the pole position is often seen as a disadvantage at Spa-Francorchamps, overtaking him on the Kemmel straight. Verstappen was the last to win the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position, in 2021. McLaren demonstrated superior pace, with Leclerc finishing 20 seconds behind in third position. Verstappen placed fourth, followed by George Russell of Mercedes. Alex Albon achieved an excellent sixth place for Williams, his best result since Imola. Lewis Hamilton, after a disappointing qualifying session, put on a show at the beginning of the race, moving up positions from the back of the grid with masterful maneuvers. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls secured a notable eighth place, followed by Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Pierre Gasly earned a point for Alpine. The next Formula 1 race will be the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, before the summer break.