![\"Piastri](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/01a3c0_c869540319f54a3e9c629a902bb8b330~mv2.png\")
<\/p>\nWritten by Elaina Russell<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Piastri celebrates victory in the Ardennes | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n
It was a soggy Spa classic\u2013and for Oscar Piastri, a statement win. The McLaren driver held his nerve in changing conditions to claim the team\u2019s third straight Grand Prix victory and extend his championship lead. Temmate Lando Norris followed him home in a dominant one-two for the papaya team, with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc returning to the podium after a one-race blip following Austria.<\/p>\n
From pit lane launches to heroic comebacks, the Belgian Grand Prix proved once again why it\u2019s a fan-favorite.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how all 20 drivers performed on race day:<\/p>\n
![\"Lando](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/01a3c0_2d89fa1c37f4475b934a95d0967f8f58~mv2.png\")
<\/p>\n
Lando Norris congratulates teammate Oscar Piastri after a win at Spa | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n
McLaren<\/p>\n
No. 81 – Oscar Piastri –\u00a0 A+<\/p>\n
A weekend to remember for the Australian, who\u2019s called Spa his \u201cfavorite race\u201d\u2013and proved exactly why. From beating Verstappen to pole in Sprint Qualifying to executing a seemingly flawless strategy on race day, Piastri\u2019s precision in changing conditions stood out. A clean overtake on Norris and an early switch to slicks gave him track position he never relinquished. This was the performance of a title favorite, not a sophomore. Piastri extends his lead in the standings to a total 16 points.<\/p>\n
No. 4 – Lando Norris – A<\/p>\n
Lando\u2019s charge began from pole but soon unravelled when he was overtaken by his teammate and left to react instead of dictate. While he put together a clean and largely measured race, a delayed switch to slicks saw him lose the crucial advantage to Piastri, and a few errors in the long run ultimately limited his fightback.<\/p>\n
Norris admitted post race: \u201cHe did a better job in the beginning and that was it, nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be on top but Oscar deserved it today.\u201d Still, 18 points is no small haul in a championship fight this tight.<\/p>\n
Ferrari<\/p>\n
No. 44 – Lewis Hamilton – A-<\/p>\n
After qualifying 16th and starting from the pit lane due to setup changes, Hamilton needed something special\u2013and delivered just that. A daring early switch to slicks put him on the front foot, executing what turned out to be a huge undercut that leapfrogged him through the midfield. His charge to seventh showcased his classic race craft and tyre management in difficult conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team did a great job as they always do throughout the weekend and they did a great job with the strategy so big thanks to them and I’ll try and do a better job for them next weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
A remarkable recovery, and a welcome result after a messy start to the weekend.<\/p>\n
No. 16 – Charles Leclerc – B+<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t flashy, but it was certainly effective. Starting third, Leclerc kept the Red Bull of Max Verstappen at bay and brought home his third podium in five weekends. He never looked quite at the same pace as the McLarens up front, but his defensive driving and measured pace made him a quiet standout in a race full of chaos. After a run of misfortune earlier this season, Leclerc is putting points on the board in a still-volatile Ferrari package.<\/p>\n
Mercedes<\/p>\n
No. 63 – George Russell – B<\/p>\n
Russell crossed the line fifth, but behind the scenes, Mercedes is clearly struggling. After the race, Russell admitted that recent changes to the car\u2019s setup took a step backwards, suggesting his P5 was more about capitalizing on others\u2019 mistakes rather than raw pace. \u201cWe need to understand why we’ve lost so much pace in recent races,\u201d he said. Still, a damage-limitation drive that yielded double-digit points is better than what Mercedes had any reason to expect.<\/p>\n
![\"Lewis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/01a3c0_572d12e0a6e841218c020f503cf83ba6~mv2.png\")
<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton speaks with rookie Kimi Antonelli at the Belgian Grand Prix | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n
No. 12 – Kimi Antonelli – D<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a tough stretch for the Italian teenager. After a bright start to the season including a podium in Canada, Antonelli seems to have faded a bit, and Spa was another low. Starting from the pit lane and struggling throughout, he never looked close to the points. While teammate Russell did marginally better with similar strategy, Antonelli simply couldn\u2019t keep pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Former Mercedes-man Lewis Hamilton came to his defense, saying \u201cHe’s been doing fantastic to be thrown in at the deep end at 18\u2026he’s just got to take it in his stride.\u201d No doubt the rookie has talent, but the pressure is mounting.<\/p>\n
Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n
No. 1 – Max Verstappen – B<\/p>\n
Sprint glory on Saturday, but no podium on Sunday. Verstappen was overtaken by Piastri early and never really managed to find his pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the decision making and the set up that we chose with the wing didn\u2019t help,\u201d he admitted. Fourth is hardly disastrous, but the reigning champ looked more mortal than usual. More worrying is the increasing sense of inconsistency in Red Bull\u2019s weekend execution.<\/p>\n
No. 22 – Yuki Tsunoda – D<\/p>\n
Tsunoda hasn\u2019t scored points since Imola, and Spa didn\u2019t change that. A pit timing miscommunication saw him stay out a lap too long in changeable conditions, dropping him down in the order. He spent much of the race stuck behind Gasly and described the race as effectively over after the call. \u201cI lost five positions and was stuck behind a bit all the race. That\u2019s it, that was my race.\u201d After a promising start to the season, Tsunoda is struggling to stay relevant in the points battle.<\/p>\n
Williams<\/p>\n
No. 23 – Alexander Albon – A-<\/p>\n
One of the standout drives of the weekend. Albon ran as high as fifth and held off Lewis Hamilton for multiple laps in the closing stages. It was yet another reminder that when the Williams works, Albon can punch above his weight. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery happy,\u201d he said post race. \u201cIt was not easy to hold off Lewis and he gave me a lot of pressure for long parts of the race.\u201d<\/p>\n
No. 55 – Carlos Sainz – D+<\/p>\n
Sainz continues to endure a baffling run of misfortune. Starting from the pit lane, he failed to mount any real challenge and finished 18th. \u201cIt is not like it is a pattern\u2026every weekend is a different thing,\u201d he said. While Albon thrived, Sainz couldn\u2019t extract performance.<\/p>\n
![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/01a3c0_6b827564a9024e5a80010b8e292ec752~mv2.png\")
<\/p>\n
Gabriel Bortoleto running in the wet at the Belgian Grand Prix | Credit: Sauber Group<\/p>\n
Kick Sauber<\/p>\n
No. 27 – Nico H\u00fclkenberg – B-<\/p>\n
The Silverstone podium hero came back to earth slightly at Spa, but still delivered a respectable race. Starting 15th and finishing 12th, H\u00fclkenberg showed strong pace early but ultimately couldn\u2019t break into the points. Compared to recent heroics, it felt like a flat result but it was still a solid execution from a driver in good form.<\/p>\n
No. 5 – Gabriel Bortoleto – B<\/p>\n
Ninth place and points at Spa is nothing to dismiss. Bortoleto held his own in the tricky conditions and executed a quiet, competent race. His two points were the only ones for Sauber this weekend, and while not spectacular, it was exactly the kind of clean weekend a rookie needs to build confidence.<\/p>\n
Racing Bulls<\/p>\n
No. 6 – Isack Hadjar – D-<\/p>\n
After strategy misfire early on, Hadjar\u2019s pace never really recovered. Despite running ahead, Hadjar was left out as Lawson boxed first\u2013a move that would eventually drop him to the back. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame\u2026 I think it could have been a double-points finish,\u201d he said. Instead, he finished dead last. Hadjar shows glimpses, but Spa was a clear misfire from both driver and pit wall.
\n
<\/p>\n
No. 30 – Liam Lawson – B<\/p>\n
A strong drive largely overshadowed by Hadjar’s issues. Lawson stayed out of trouble and looked sharp amidst a competitive field. His stock continues to rise quietly.<\/p>\n
“I really enjoyed today. Often in those conditions you just want to survive, so I’m very happy for the team and how everything came together.”<\/p>\n
Aston Martin<\/p>\n
No. 18 – Lance Stroll – C<\/p>\n
Started 16th and finished 14th. It wasn\u2019t a disaster, nor was it particularly memorable. Tyre wear saw him drop down the order, and though he\u2019s historically strong in the wet, he couldn\u2019t capitalize this time.<\/p>\n
No. 14 – Fernando Alonso – C<\/p>\n
Alonso started from the pit lane with a wet-weather setup that never came to fruition. The gamble backfired, and Alonso spent the race mired in traffic, finishing 17th. It was just one of those days for Aston Martin, with the veteran driver admitting that pace just wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n
![\"Haas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/01a3c0_998fc3482c8d432198ca42d1fe7e63a6~mv2.png\")
<\/p>\n
Haas on track in Belgium | Credit: Formula One<\/p>\n
Haas<\/p>\n
No. 87 – Oliver Bearman – B-<\/p>\n
Bearman\u2019s race was shaped by unfortunate timing and reliability woes. He boxed too late, wrestled with an engine issue, and ultimately finished just outside the points in P11.<\/p>\n
No. 31 – Esteban Ocon – C<\/p>\n
Another scrappy race for the Frenchman who dropped from a P11 start to a P15 finish. Spa was anything but relaxing for the only American team on the grid, and Haas will be looking to rewrite the narrative come Hungary.<\/p>\n
Alpine<\/p>\n
No. 10 – Pierre Gasly – A<\/p>\n
Smart strategy, bold setup, and fierce defending. Gasly executed in a race where many failed to do so, using a low-downforce package to great effect. He spent the closing stages holding off quicker cars and didn\u2019t put a wheel wrong\u2013a gritty drive that netted a hard-earned point.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very happy with that and that hard work has paid off today. It is only a point but, after a race like that, defending from a number of cars for so long, we can be pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spa is understandably an emotional race weekend for Gasly, and with family and the late Anthoine Hubert\u2019s mother in the paddock watching on, this one clearly meant more.<\/p>\n
No. 43 – Franco Colapinto – C-<\/p>\n
Spa was another learning weekend for the rookie. He looked relatively competitive early on but struggled with traffic and tyre degradation after the switch to slicks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA tricky weekend,\u201d he admitted. Alpine continues to evaluate its second seat\u2013and Colapinto needs sharper results to stake his claim.<\/p>\n
Looking Ahead<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri might have taken the trophy, but Spa gave nearly every driver something to fight for. From Hamilton\u2019s charge to Gasly\u2019s grit, it was a weekend of comebacks, rain dances, and redemption arcs. As we head into the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren has seized the upper-hand\u2013but behind them, the fight is heating up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Written by Elaina Russell Piastri celebrates victory in the Ardennes | Credit: Formula One It was a soggy…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":31166,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,63,817,813,816,85],"class_list":["post-31165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}