
Oscar Piastri’s victory at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix marked his sixth win of the season and extended his lead in the championship standings. Despite a rain delay of over an hour, the Australian maintained composure and managed to overtake teammate Lando Norris early on. The wet conditions disrupted the usual order, affecting teams like Red Bull, and allowed McLaren to dominate. Piastri’s move on Norris—described by Damon Hill as “extraordinary”—solidified his position at the front. Despite a differing tyre strategy, he held on to the lead and showcased his strength in unpredictable conditions.
Nelson Piquet Jr., reflecting on the race and Piastri’s championship journey, suggested that while the young McLaren driver remains a strong title contender, the road to success won’t be as straightforward as many had initially expected. Although figures like Nico Rosberg have tipped Piastri as the favorite, Piquet Jr. pointed to Norris’ exceptional qualifying pace as a significant challenge. He acknowledged Piastri’s growth but emphasized that Lando’s one-lap advantage could complicate things in upcoming races.
Piquet Jr. added that while Piastri has demonstrated maturity beyond his years, it’s only his third season, and he’s still evolving. He believes that Piastri’s racecraft is outstanding, but title glory may not come easily and could be decided much later in the season. The ongoing battle between the two McLaren drivers is shaping up to be one of the fiercest internal rivalries on the grid. While Norris still has an edge in raw pace over a single lap, Piastri’s consistency in race conditions may prove decisive.
With the Hungarian Grand Prix on the horizon, Norris sees it as his final opportunity to narrow the 16-point gap before the summer break. The three-week pause will leave little room for recovery if the gap widens further. A win for Norris in Hungary could reduce the margin to just nine points, provided Piastri finishes no lower than second. This makes the race particularly crucial for the Briton, who will be pushing to build momentum before the second half of the season kicks off.
Interestingly, Hungary also holds historical significance for McLaren, as it was where Piastri claimed his first Formula 1 win a year ago amid a controversial team order situation. Norris had initially ignored instructions to let Piastri through, which had sparked debate within the paddock. Now, as both drivers return to the circuit, the stakes are even higher—with the championship lead hanging in the balance, and team dynamics continuing to evolve under immense pressure.