Piastri extends title lead with dominant Belgian GP drive

Mixed conditions at Spa separated strategic masterclasses from costly miscalculations as championship momentum shifts

The Belgian Grand Prix delivered another masterclass in adaptability.

Weather unpredictability created winners and losers across the grid as teams navigated treacherous conditions and strategic gambles.

Oscar Piastri emerged as the weekend's biggest victor while Max Verstappen's frustrations boiled over.

Setup choices and strategic timing proved decisive in determining fortunes at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Piastri's move on lap 1

The Australian delivered when it mattered most after Lando Norris had closed their title gap to just eight points.

Norris appeared poised for a hat-trick following wins in Austria and Silverstone before crucial errors derailed his Belgian campaign.

Piastri capitalised ruthlessly on Norris' La Source slip with a gutsy overtake through Eau Rouge.

The move showcased the same killer instinct he displayed against Verstappen in Saudi Arabia earlier this season.

The championship leader then managed his medium tyres perfectly while Norris struggled on harder compounds.

Small errors from the Briton under pressure allowed Piastri to double his points advantage heading to Hungary.

Piastri's grand prix victory tally now stands at eight wins. His clinical approach continues to separate him from his more emotional rivals in pressure situations.

Verstappen's setup gamble backfires

Red Bull anticipated a full wet race by loading maximum downforce onto Verstappen's car.

The decision proved costly when dry conditions dominated the majority of Sunday's racing.

Verstappen found himself trapped behind Charles Leclerc's more aerodynamically efficient Ferrari throughout the race.

His post-race frustrations spilled over into criticism of drivers who urged race control to delay the start.

The reigning world champion suggested worried drivers should simply lift off in poor visibility conditions.

His comments felt particularly insensitive given Spa's tragic recent history with weather-related incidents.

Red Bull's setup choice also affected Yuki Tsunoda, who couldn't convert seventh in qualifying into points.

Miscommunication left the Japanese driver out too long on intermediate tyres, relegating him to 13th place.

Ferrari a step forward

Ferrari's lower downforce setup proved perfectly suited to the eventual race conditions.

Leclerc held off Verstappen's challenge throughout Sunday's contest to secure a well-deserved podium finish.

The Monegasque driver showed tremendous resilience on intermediate tyres that clearly didn't suit his Ferrari.

His defensive driving in the dry phase demonstrated the competitive spirit that defines elite Formula 1 performers.

Ferrari's latest upgrades continue delivering tangible improvements despite remaining distant from McLaren's performance level.

The Scuderia's real championship battle now centers on securing second place ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton deserves equal praise for his flawless recovery drive from the pitlane.

The Ferrari driver's early switch to slick tyres triggered the strategic sequence that elevated him through the field.

Antonelli's confidence crisis deepens

Mercedes' youngest driver continues struggling with qualifying pace as his difficult rookie season intensifies.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli appears increasingly affected by the stark performance gap with teammate George Russell.

The 18-year-old Italian manages race situations more effectively but cannot match Hamilton's ability to climb through the field.

His pitlane start yielded minimal progress compared to his experienced predecessor's charge.

Former world champion Nico Rosberg suggests Mercedes should extend Antonelli's contract for 2026 immediately.

The vote of confidence could lift psychological pressure from the teenager's shoulders during this crucial learning phase.

Antonelli's current struggles represent typical growing pains for young drivers entering Formula 1's unforgiving environment.

His education will ultimately benefit from experiencing these challenging moments early in his career.

Midfield battles

Alex Albon delivered another impressive qualifying performance to secure sixth place for Williams.

The result comes at a crucial time as the team's fifth-place constructor standings face increasing pressure from rivals.

Williams struck back with significant upgrade packages after recent reliability issues cost valuable points.

Albon's defensive masterclass against Hamilton's charging Ferrari demonstrated the car's improved competitive window.

Haas squandered a golden opportunity to score double points after strong sprint race performances.

Strategy miscalculations left both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman outside the points despite showing competitive pace.

Gabriel Bortoleto continues impressing in Sauber machinery as he outpaced experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg throughout the weekend.

The Brazilian's second career points finish reflects his growing confidence and natural speed.

Aston Martin's recent progress stalled completely at Spa with both drivers struggling for qualifying pace.

The team's setup compromises on variety circuits continue limiting their championship potential despite recent upgrades.

The championship battle intensifies as teams prepare for Hungary's demanding layout and cooling requirements.

Strategic adaptability will again prove crucial in determining which constructors maximize their opportunities.