Piastri wins the Belgian Grand Prix: McLaren secures 1-2, Leclerc third

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps delivered a thrilling spectacle, despite initial weather delays, culminating in Oscar Piastri securing a dominant victory. The 13th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season saw the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri start from the front row, setting the stage for an intense intra-team battle that ultimately saw Piastri emerge victorious, halting Norris's recent winning momentum.

A Delayed and Dramatic Start

Heavy rain showers before the scheduled start time led to a significant delay, with the F3 feature race even being canceled. As the rain eventually subsided, albeit with a still-wet track, race control opted for a rolling start behind the Safety Car. All cars began on new intermediate tyres, a testament to the challenging conditions. The formation lap itself highlighted the poor visibility, with Norris noting the heavy spray.

The race finally got underway on Lap 5, and the action was immediate. Despite starting from pole, Lando Norris found himself under pressure from his teammate. Oscar Piastri, demonstrating exceptional wet-weather prowess, seized the opportunity on the Kemmel Straight, executing a decisive overtake to snatch the lead from Norris. This early move proved to be the defining moment of the race, as Piastri quickly began to build a gap.

Strategic Gambles and Mid-Race Dynamics

As the track began to dry, a crucial pit stop window opened around Lap 11-13. Several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, and Nico Hulkenberg, gambled early on switching to medium compound slick tyres. This proved to be a shrewd decision for many, allowing them to gain significant track position.

McLaren, facing a dilemma with their leading cars, opted for a split strategy. Piastri pitted on Lap 12 for medium tyres, while Norris stayed out for one more lap, eventually pitting on Lap 13 for hard tyres. This strategic divergence set up a fascinating second half of the race, with Piastri aiming to manage his mediums to the end, and Norris relying on the durability of his hards to mount a late charge.

Further back, Max Verstappen, starting fourth, and Charles Leclerc, starting third, also pitted for mediums. Leclerc managed to hold off Verstappen for much of the race, securing a valuable podium finish. Lewis Hamilton, starting from the pit lane due to a PU change, showcased impressive pace and race craft, steadily climbing through the field. He made quick work of several midfield rivals, including Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto, eventually settling into a strong seventh position.

Midfield Battles and Tyre Management Challenges

The drying track and varying tyre strategies led to numerous battles throughout the field. George Russell, starting sixth, made good progress early on, overtaking Alex Albon for fifth. Albon, who had a strong qualifying performance for Williams, defended admirably against a charging Hamilton for several laps.

Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto, both starting in the top 10, maintained their positions to score points for Racing Bulls and Kick Sauber respectively. Nico Hulkenberg, fresh off a podium at Silverstone, also had a solid race, battling through the midfield. Isack Hadjar, however, had a day to forget, suffering from ill-timed pit stops and a lack of pace that saw him drop from eighth to twentieth.

As the race wore on, tyre management became paramount. Piastri, on the softer medium compound, was constantly monitoring his tyres, while Norris, on the hards, began to close the gap in the final laps. A small lock-up from Norris into La Source on Lap 43, however, cost him crucial time, effectively ending his pursuit of Piastri.

Piastri's Masterclass and Championship Implications

Oscar Piastri crossed the finish line to claim a well-deserved victory at Spa, stopping his teammate Lando Norris's back-to-back winning streak. Norris finished a strong second, securing another McLaren 1-2. Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third, a distant but commendable result for Ferrari. Max Verstappen finished where he started in fourth.

The result sees Piastri extend his championship lead over Norris to 16 points, solidifying McLaren's dominant position in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. With one more race in Hungary before the summer break, the momentum is firmly with the papaya team. The unpredictable conditions at Spa once again delivered a memorable race, highlighting the strategic depth and driver skill required to conquer the iconic circuit.