Belgian Grand Prix 2025: Oscar Piastri Edges Closer to Title Dream with Dominant Win at Wet Spa

Oscar Piastri dominated victory at the rain-affected 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, holding off McLaren teammate and championship rival Lando Norris to consolidate his position in the Drivers' Championship. The Australian's cautious pace and strategic approach saw him take the win in a rain-soaked race dictated by fragmented weather and millisecond judgments.

Rain Delay and Strategic Start

The Grand Prix was delayed by almost 80 minutes initially because of heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps. Once the weather cleared, the race restarted behind the safety car on Lap 5. Piastri did not waste any time making a move, taking advantage of a better run through Eau Rouge to pass Norris on the Kemmel Straight as he approached the braking for Les Combes. The move turned out to be the difference in the race.

Tyre Strategy Puts Piastri in the Lead

As the track dried fast, pit strategy took centre stage. Piastri was the first of the front-runners to come in on Lap 12 for medium tyres, earning him crucial track position. Norris hung out for one more lap before pitting for hard tyres, but it was too late to close the gap, which now stood at nine seconds. Although he carried the slower, softer rubber in the latter stages, Piastri did a good job of running his pace and had a margin of more than three seconds at the checkered flag.

Leclerc Repels Verstappen for Last Podium Position

Charles Leclerc took his Ferrari home in third, well behind the McLarens but ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull. Saturday's Sprint winner Verstappen couldn't get past Leclerc, although he remained close all day and finished just 1.5 seconds off the podium.

Strong Recoveries and Midfield Battles

George Russell completed a solo charge to P5 for Mercedes, with Williams' Alex Albon resisting a late charge from a frustrated Lewis Hamilton to cross the line in sixth. Hamilton, starting from the pit lane following a dismal qualifying effort, completed an 11-place jump to take seventh in his Ferrari.

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) completed the top ten. Gasly spent most of the race at the front of a DRS train and edged out Haas driver Oliver Bearman by a narrow margin.

All 20 Finish, Pit Lane Starts and Rookie Efforts

Most importantly, all 20 drivers completed the race without one caution or retirement after the green flag. Many drivers, such as Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and Kimi Antonelli, started in the pit lane due to setup adjustments. New driver Lawson and Bortoleto collected points in a tough race, promising much for their respective teams.

Championship Implications

With his win, Piastri now leads Norris by 16 points in the Drivers' Championship. McLaren continues to show dominance in varying conditions, and Piastri’s strategic awareness and consistent pace position him as a serious title favourite as the season enters its critical phase. 

Next Stop: Hungarian Grand Prix

The next destination is the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 1–3 at the Hungaroring. As the 14^th of 24 races scheduled, the event brings a significant mid-season phase where momentum becomes even more important. With Piastri 16 points clear of Norris, the tight and technical nature of Hungary could have a critical role to play in determining the championship fight. Reputed to be a track that doesn't provide much overtaking, qualifying will play an important role, providing an opportunity for either of the McLaren drivers to take the initiative in this extremely hot title battle. Can Piastri repeat his victory from the 2024 season, or will Norris outdo him this time?

2025 Belgian GP Result: 

Top 10 Drivers’ Standing After 2025 Belgian GP:

Image Source: F1.com