Oscar Piastri Braved Risks to Triumph in Rain-Hit Belgian Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri widened his lead in the Formula One drivers’ championship, outpacing his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to claim victory in the rain-drenched Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Torrential downpours delayed the race at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit by over an hour, rendering the track unfit for competition.

When racing finally commenced, Piastri wasted no time asserting his dominance. Starting second on the grid behind Norris, the Australian navigated the challenging conditions as the race began under safety car guidance, with true racing action unfolding only after the fourth lap.

It was on that initial racing lap that the 24-year-old seized his moment, surging past Norris with a daring maneuver.

“I had to be committed. I got a good run out of turn one and then I could stay very close … it was not the easiest, there were a few moments but then I could stay super close out of there,” Piastri told about his brilliant start to the race.

“The actual overtake itself was reasonably straightforward. I could get ahead before the breaking zone but, yeah, the leading up to it took some risk.”

As the track gradually dried from the earlier deluge, Piastri expertly managed his tires to hold off Norris’ challenge.

Norris, opting for more resilient tires, had a genuine shot at overtaking Piastri in the closing laps. However, minor mistakes and a sluggish pit stop dashed his hopes. He crossed the finish line over three seconds behind Piastri but remained philosophical. Reflecting on the race, Norris highlighted the difficulty of leading from the front on a wet track, where his car was the first to cut through the water, creating an advantageous slipstream for those behind.

“It’s tough to lead from the beginning,” Norris told after the race.

“Not saying I did the best job but, yeah, just seems like this weekend it was a headwind down that straight and just pretty much impossible to keep ahead.

“Nothing to complain about too much. It was a good race otherwise. I gave it a good shot, I was pushing hard but not enough.”

Piastri Extends Championship Lead

Norris now trails Piastri by 16 points in the drivers’ standings, with the Australian securing his sixth victory of the season.

Piastri expressed his delight at returning to the top step of the podium, having last tasted victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

“I think the last couple of weekends I felt very good in how I’ve driven and the pace, but I’ve just not ultimately pulled it off,” he said.

“To finally get the win this weekend is a really nice feeling and I felt like, you know, qualifying wasn’t the best, but the race I did everything as well as I could have and I’m very happy.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium, finishing a distant third.

The McLaren teammates are set to renew their rivalry at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.

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