Piastri Claims Spa Victory in StyleOscar Piastri clinched a decisive victory at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, delivering a masterclass in control and composure under pressure. He took the lead from his McLaren teammate Lando Norris on the opening lap and never looked back, expertly managing his tyre strategy in tricky conditions. This triumph marked his sixth win of the season, widening his lead in the Drivers’ Championship. The one-two finish for McLaren showcased the team’s dominance at Spa, with both drivers executing strong, strategic races in changing weather.
Tyre Strategy Key to McLaren’s SuccessPiastri’s success hinged on a perfectly timed switch to Medium tyres on Lap 13, which allowed him to build a crucial lead while Norris opted for the more durable Hard tyres a lap later. Although Norris closed the gap in the final laps, Piastri held firm to finish three seconds clear at the flag. Earlier in the weekend, Piastri had finished second in the Sprint after a strong showing behind Max Verstappen. His strategic excellence in the Grand Prix, combined with a flawless drive, proved the difference on race day.
Norris Falls Just Short in McLaren DuelLando Norris nearly turned the tables on his teammate with a strong late charge, benefiting from his harder tyre compound. After initially leading the race from pole, he was overtaken by Piastri at Les Combes following a daring move through Eau Rouge. Though he maintained pace throughout the race and carved into Piastri’s lead in the closing stages, Norris ultimately ran out of laps and had to settle for second. His performance was nonetheless commendable, showcasing his ability to recover and keep the pressure on.
Russell and Hamilton Deliver Solid PointsGeorge Russell continued his run of consistent results, finishing fifth after starting sixth and getting the better of Alex Albon early on. He engaged in a close contest with Max Verstappen but couldn’t get past the Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, had a much tougher task after starting 18th due to penalties and mistakes in qualifying. The seven-time champion climbed through the field with a gutsy early switch to slick tyres and fought hard to eventually finish seventh, narrowly missing out on sixth after a fierce battle with Albon.
Bearman Impresses Despite Narrow MissOllie Bearman once again showed maturity beyond his years with another strong performance for Haas. He started 12th and ran a clean race, despite facing a power unit issue and tricky strategy decisions. While others made second stops, Bearman opted to stay out, a gamble that nearly earned him points. He finished 11th for the fourth consecutive Grand Prix — a result that highlights both his consistency and the frustration of missing out on the top ten. Nonetheless, his performances continue to underline his rising reputation in Formula 1.
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