Oscar Piastri emerged victorious in a rain-soaked Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, overtaking teammate Lando Norris early in the race to extend his lead in the drivers’ standings to 16 points. The event began under challenging conditions, delayed by over an hour due to heavy rain, and started behind the safety car. Once racing began, Piastri quickly overtook Norris at turn one and maintained the lead throughout. Charles Leclerc secured third place, while Lewis Hamilton fought back from a pit-lane start to finish seventh behind Verstappen, Russell, and Albon.
The weather played a crucial role in how the race unfolded, with team principals backing the FIA’s cautious approach. Fred Vasseur of Ferrari emphasized the importance of visibility and safety, referencing past accidents in similar conditions. McLaren boss Andrea Stella echoed those sentiments, praising the FIA for their wise decision to delay the start, allowing for a transition from wet to dry racing. Both leaders emphasized that safety should always come before spectacle, especially in unpredictable weather.
Not everyone agreed with the delayed start. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen criticized the FIA’s hesitancy, calling the delay unnecessary once conditions improved. However, their teams accepted the decision, highlighting the importance of responsibility under such dangerous circumstances. The 80-minute delay and safety car laps before the rolling start were deemed justified by officials and many in the paddock.
In the championship standings, Piastri now leads with 266 points, ahead of Norris with 250. Verstappen holds third with 185, while Russell and Leclerc round out the top five. Meanwhile, McLaren leads the constructors’ table with a dominant 516 points—more than double that of second-placed Ferrari. The win at Spa further solidified McLaren’s superiority this season, especially with their back-to-back one-two finishes.
Other notable performances included Gabriel Bortoleto finishing ninth and expressing satisfaction with his result despite the unpredictable conditions. Charles Leclerc was also pleased with Ferrari’s upgrades, which helped fend off Verstappen and secure a podium finish. Meanwhile, Red Bull, now under new leadership following Christian Horner’s dismissal, saw Verstappen win the sprint race a day earlier, suggesting the team remains competitive despite internal changes.
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