Piastri vs. Norris: The Internal Fight at McLaren Intensifies
The Formula 1 season has given us exciting duels, and the rivalry between McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, is one of the key points. Although there is currently a sixteen-point difference in the drivers’ championship, the Belgian Grand Prix demonstrated how close the competition between the two can be each race weekend. Before the race at Spa-Francorchamps, Norris seemed to be in the lead with victories in Austria and Great Britain. However, the circumstances of the race in Belgium changed, and Piastri seized his opportunity brilliantly.The Key Moment: The First Lap
The decisive moment of Sunday’s race came on the first lap, in rainy conditions. The famous Eau Rouge corner at Spa, which is taken flat out in the dry, required lifting off the accelerator in the wet. Piastri, after starting from second position, positioned himself strategically to overtake Norris.The launch and the wet conditions were key factors. Piastri, with a more favorable start, managed to hold his position and attack his teammate. Piastri’s audacity at Eau Rouge and Raidillon allowed him to gain the crucial position on the Kemmel straight.When I was so close, I knew I was just going to lift a little bit less than Lando and try to keep it on the track. A bit of a wiggle on the hill, but I managed to keep it. From there, the tow helped me. I’m proud of my first lap.
Oscar Piastri
Strategy and Decisions on the Track
After the race, the McLaren team investigated a battery issue that apparently affected both drivers equally. Team principal Andrea Stella explained that the overtake happened because it was difficult for the leader to maintain position at Turn 5. Norris admitted that the overtake was inevitable, considering his exit from La Source. The tire strategy also played an important role. Piastri, while leading, had priority in the choice of tires, while Norris opted for a different strategy, which led him to lose time in the pits.
