Oscar Piastri seized the moment at Spa-Francorchamps to take a commanding win at the Belgian Grand Prix, outpacing teammate Lando Norris with a decisive Lap 1 move.
The McLaren driver, starting second, made full use of the long run through Eau Rouge and Kemmel Straight to pass Norris and never looked back. Despite Norris having fresher hard tyres in the closing laps, Piastri held firm to cross the line 3.4 seconds ahead and extend his title lead.
The race began under wet skies and was delayed by over an hour. One formation lap revealed standing water, prompting the FIA to postpone the start until 4:20 p.m. local time. Once racing resumed, the McLaren duo pulled away from the pack.
Norris had taken pole the day before but found himself under pressure almost immediately. Piastri’s slingshot past him at the top of the hill was eerily similar to the one Max Verstappen had used to overtake him during Saturday’s sprint.
“There was nothing more I could do,” said Norris post-race. “Oscar just did a better job at the start.”
Piastri admitted his first-lap move was always the plan. “I knew Lap 1 was my best shot. I got a great run through Eau Rouge and made it stick.”
Behind the dominant McLaren pair, Charles Leclerc fended off Max Verstappen to claim third for Ferrari. The Monegasque fought hard in slippery conditions, managing the pressure with composure.
Lewis Hamilton, who started deep in the field after a shock Q1 exit on Saturday, clawed his way up to seventh. His early switch to slicks proved clever, though he couldn’t pass Alex Albon in the closing laps.
Further back, Liam Lawson and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivered standout drives. Pierre Gasly salvaged a point for Alpine, while Yuki Tsunoda’s gamble to stay out a lap too long cost him dearly.
McLaren’s one-two punch at Spa sends a strong message heading into Budapest next week. With a 16-point gap now in the title race, Piastri’s grip is tightening.
