Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance at a rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix today, securing his sixth victory of the season and significantly extending his lead in the drivers’ championship.
The McLaren driver seized the lead from teammate Lando Norris on the very first racing lap after a lengthy delay due to heavy rain.
Piastri’s decisive move around the outside into Les Combes set the tone for the race.
Despite Norris’s team opting for a divergent hard-tyre strategy, Piastri expertly managed his medium tyres, making them last to the end without another pit stop.
This impressive display of tyre management ensured he maintained his lead, winning by 3.4 seconds.
Norris, who acknowledged Piastri’s superior commitment in the treacherous early conditions, finished second.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the final podium spot, holding off a late challenge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished fourth. Lewis Hamilton, starting from the pit lane, put in an “excellent race” to climb to seventh.
With this crucial win, Piastri now holds a 16-point lead over Norris as the championship heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.
