Piastri conquers Spa to extend Championship lead

Oscar Piastri has claimed a stunning victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, mastering treacherous wet-to-dry conditions to beat his McLaren teammate and championship rival Lando Norris. The Australian's sixth win of the season extends his lead in the drivers' standings to 16 points as the Formula 1® season heads into its summer break.

The race at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit was delayed by 80 minutes due to heavy rain, with the opening laps run behind the safety car. When racing finally got underway, it was Piastri who seized the initiative. Starting from second on the grid, he slipstreamed past polesitter Norris on the run up the Kemmel Straight and took the lead with a decisive move into Les Combes.

"I knew lap one would be my best chance of winning the race," Piastri said after the race. "I got a good exit out of Turn One; lifted as little as I dared out of Eau Rouge."

As the track began to dry, strategy came into play. Piastri was the first of the leaders to pit for slick tyres, opting for the medium compound on lap 12. Norris stayed out for an extra lap and took on the hard tyres, but a slower stop saw him rejoin the race nine seconds behind his teammate.

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While Norris was able to close the gap in the closing stages, a series of small mistakes, including a lock-up at La Source on the penultimate lap, ended his challenge. Piastri crossed the line 3.4 seconds clear of his teammate, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finishing a distant third.

"Oscar just did a good job, nothing more to say," a philosophical Norris said after the race. "Committed more through Eau Rouge, got the slipstream and the run. That was it, nothing else I could do at that point. Oscar deserved it today."

Max Verstappen, who had won the Sprint race on Saturday, finished fourth for Red Bull, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and Williams' Alex Albon. Lewis Hamilton recovered from a pit-lane start to finish seventh for Ferrari.

Piastri's victory is a significant moment in the championship battle. After seeing his lead cut in recent races, he has now re-established a comfortable advantage over Norris.

"I knew that Lap 1 was going to be probably my best chance of winning the race, and I got a good exit out of Turn 1 and lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge and then it was enough," said Piastri.