‘It's Piastri v Norris' for the F1 title – and the Australian just pulled further ahead
Piastri wins Belgian Grand Prix and cements championship lead
By Hannah Kennelly
Australian Oscar Piastri has won the Belgian Grand Prix and furthered his championship lead, while his teammate Lando Norris had to settle for second during a rain-interrupted race at Spa.
Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the F1 calendar and Sunday's drenched conditions made the sweeping turns and sharp chicanes even trickier. Poor weather and visibility triggered a red flag and a delayed start with grandstands of poncho-clad spectators waiting for nearly 80 minutes.
Piastri started second on the grid but quickly capitalised on Norris' uncertainty and battery trouble, using the slipstream to swoop on the outside of turn 5 of the opening lap. It was a move the Briton never quite recovered from. Norris began the nail-biting hunt and fiercely pursued his teammate, but the calm and collected Australian was untouchable.
Two different tyre strategies for the McLaren-duo meant Piastri had to nurse his medium-compound tyres for more than 30 laps, while Norris tried to catch him on hard tyres.
Piastri voiced his concerns around tyre degradation, telling his engineer: 'I think it will be tough to get to the end.'
Despite narrowing the gap to 3.414 seconds on the final lap, Norris made several blunders during the race and was never able to catch his teammate.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the podium with Red Bull's Verstappen finishing in fourth – his first race without recently dismissed team principal Christian Horner. Fellow Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton had an impressive race, finishing in seventh after starting in 18th place. The seven-time world champion carved his way through the field and managed to overtake three cars in one lap.
Piastri was all smiles in the post-race interview and said he was very proud of his opening lap.
'I knew lap one was going to be my best chance of winning the race,' he said during the post-race interview. 'I got a good exit out of turn one, lifted as little as I dared out of Eau Rouge. The rest of the race we managed really well.'
A gracious Norris said it was a well-deserved result for Piastri and McLaren.
'Oscar just did a good job, nothing more to say,' he said. 'Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run, so nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today.'
Piastri's victory in Belgium brings his grand prix tally to eight – the same number as former Red Bull and McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo. Piastri now leads Norris by 16 points with 11 races to go in a rivalry that will likely last until December.
Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle summarised the rest of the season succinctly, saying 'This race confirms, it's Piastri versus Norris for the world championship.'
The next race will be the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3.
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Piastri wins Belgian Grand Prix and cements championship lead
By Hannah Kennelly
Australian Oscar Piastri has won the Belgian Grand Prix and furthered his championship lead, while his teammate Lando Norris had to settle for second during a rain-interrupted race at Spa.
Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the F1 calendar and Sunday's drenched conditions made the sweeping turns and sharp chicanes even trickier. Poor weather and visibility triggered a red flag and a delayed start with grandstands of poncho-clad spectators waiting for nearly 80 minutes.
Piastri started second on the grid but quickly capitalised on Norris' uncertainty and battery trouble, using the slipstream to swoop on the outside of turn 5 of the opening lap. It was a move the Briton never quite recovered from. Norris began the nail-biting hunt and fiercely pursued his teammate, but the calm and collected Australian was untouchable.
Two different tyre strategies for the McLaren-duo meant Piastri had to nurse his medium-compound tyres for more than 30 laps, while Norris tried to catch him on hard tyres.
Piastri voiced his concerns around tyre degradation, telling his engineer: 'I think it will be tough to get to the end.'
Despite narrowing the gap to 3.414 seconds on the final lap, Norris made several blunders during the race and was never able to catch his teammate.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the podium with Red Bull's Verstappen finishing in fourth – his first race without recently dismissed team principal Christian Horner. Fellow Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton had an impressive race, finishing in seventh after starting in 18th place. The seven-time world champion carved his way through the field and managed to overtake three cars in one lap.
Piastri was all smiles in the post-race interview and said he was very proud of his opening lap.
'I knew lap one was going to be my best chance of winning the race,' he said during the post-race interview. 'I got a good exit out of turn one, lifted as little as I dared out of Eau Rouge. The rest of the race we managed really well.'
A gracious Norris said it was a well-deserved result for Piastri and McLaren.
'Oscar just did a good job, nothing more to say,' he said. 'Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run, so nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today.'
Piastri's victory in Belgium brings his grand prix tally to eight – the same number as former Red Bull and McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo. Piastri now leads Norris by 16 points with 11 races to go in a rivalry that will likely last until December.
Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle summarised the rest of the season succinctly, saying 'This race confirms, it's Piastri versus Norris for the world championship.'
The next race will be the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3.
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