Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance in a rain-affected 2025 Belgian Grand Prix to extend his championship lead, resisting late pressure from McLaren team-mate and title rival Lando Norris in a race that tested both skill and strategy at Spa-Francorchamps.

Heavy rain before the scheduled start delayed the race by more than 80 minutes and forced a rolling start behind the safety car in intermediate conditions. Once racing got underway, Piastri wasted little time in seizing the advantage. On just the fifth lap, he used a perfectly timed slipstream to overtake polesitter Norris down the Kemmel Straight, securing the lead before the braking zone at Les Combes — a bold, decisive move that set the tone for the rest of the Grand Prix.

Once in front, Piastri managed his race with maturity and precision. With the track drying quickly, the McLaren driver led the pit sequence by pitting for slick tyres on lap 12, giving him crucial track position as others followed. Norris, who stayed out an extra lap before his tyre change, briefly found himself in pursuit, closing the gap as the race progressed and bearing down in the closing stages. Despite the late pressure and a tough battle on worn rubber, Piastri dug deep over the final laps, maintaining composure and control to cross the line just over three seconds ahead of his team-mate.

Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, rounding out the podium and standing as the leading challenger behind the McLaren pair, while Max Verstappen and George Russell scored strong points further down the order.

For Piastri, the victory was his sixth of the season and the eighth of his career, extending his Drivers’ Championship lead to 16 points as the title fight heads deeper into the summer swing. The result underscored his consistency and strategic nous, particularly in mixed-condition races where timing and tyre management often prove decisive.

Norris acknowledged that Piastri had executed a flawless weekend, praising the pace and race craft that delivered the result while acknowledging the challenge of closing the gap once the race entered its final stages. The intra-team duel continues to define McLaren’s 2025 campaign, adding a compelling narrative to the championship battle as rivals watch closely for shifts in momentum.

As Formula 1 now turns its attention towards the Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri’s Belgian victory marks a key moment in the title race, showcasing both his resilience under pressure and McLaren’s depth as a true front-running outfit.

Piastri Holds Off Norris in Drama-Filled Belgian Grand Prix

Norris Survives Late Piastri Charge in Tense Hungarian Grand Prix

End of an Era as Christian Horner Sacked by Red Bull with Immediate Effect