Rain‑hit Spa set the stage as a downpour delayed the race start by 80 minutes. Once conditions permitted, after four laps behind the Safety Car, the race went green with a rolling start on Lap 5, commonly seen as the safest option under such conditions.
Piastri dominates, Norris chased hard
Oscar Piastri stormed past pole-sitter Lando Norris through Eau Rouge on the opening racing lap and maintained control throughout, ultimately finishing 3.415 seconds ahead to take his sixth win of the season and extend his championship lead to 16 points. McLaren secured a confirming 1–2 result, their first at Spa since 1999, though they had won with Jason Button in 2012.
Leclerc impresses under pressure
Driving exceptionally consistently, Charles Leclerc held off Max Verstappen to finish third, undeterred by intense late-race pressure. He later explained he needed radio silence to stay precise under wet-degrading grip. The pressure was high… he just told Bryan [Bozzi] to leave him alone, given the challenge of staying on line when conditions swung.
Ferrari’s car upgrade, featuring revised rear suspension, seemed to suit Charles better, enabling his fifth podium of the 2025 campaign.
Hamilton fights back with high-octane recovery
Hamilton endured a torrid weekend, exiting in SQ1 after a spin and being knocked out in Q1 after a track-limits infringement, calling his performance ‘unacceptable’ and apologizing to his team. Starting 18th on the grid, Hamilton executed a clever split‑strategy pit stop to slick tyres and surged through the field, ultimately finishing seventh and being voted Driver of the Day for his comeback.
Team strategists praised Ferrari’s tactical calls, which salvaged points from an otherwise difficult weekend.
Final reflections
Leclerc deserves high praise: calm and composed, he delivered one of his best wet‑dry drives, masterfully defending his podium position under constant threat from Verstappen. Hamilton redeemed the weekend: despite early mistakes, his recovery drive demonstrated determination and strong decision-making under pressure.
For McLaren, the result was another powerful statement of dominance, while Ferrari benefited from solid strategic execution in mixed conditions.
Overall, the 2025 Belgian GP tested every driver’s skill in evolving conditions. While Piastri was the standout performer, Leclerc’s podium under pressure and Hamilton’s resolute comeback were the standout personal narratives of the race.
