TLDR: Rain Delays Race. Piastri Early Overtake To Victory. Hamilton Makes Up 11 Places Finishing 7th. Leclerc (Ferrari) Podium.

Rain delays the race for an hour
The drama began before the formation lap, as heavy rain swept across the Ardennes moments before the scheduled start. Race control was left with no choice but to delay proceedings by an hour due to standing water and poor visibility. Marshals worked furiously to assess the 7 km circuit, while fans in the grandstands braved the elements. It was another classic Spa scenario, unpredictable weather turning the race into a test of patience, planning, and precision.

It does beg the question, are those classic wet-weather races a thing of the past? With the sport’s ever-growing focus on safety (understandably so), we rarely get to witness those legendary duels between man, machine, and Mother Nature. Verstappen’s post-race quip gave me a chuckle: “If you can’t see, you can always lift.” Easy to say when you’ve got reflexes like his. I’m not the one strapped into the cockpit at 200mph, so my opinion carries little weight, but when a four-time world champion is openly calling for a proper wet race, I tend to agree. Enough with waiting for it to dry up, let’s have a bit of chaos every now and then. That’s what made wet races unforgettable in the first place.

Everyone started on the intermediates behind the Safety Car
Once conditions marginally improved, the field rolled off behind the Safety Car, all drivers starting on intermediate tyres. Spray remained a significant issue, with grip hard to come by. Tyre temperatures were difficult to maintain, and drivers tiptoed around the opening laps, awaiting the moment when the race would properly ignite.

Piastri overtakes Norris at the restart. Norris complained of battery deployment issues
As the Safety Car came in and racing resumed, Oscar Piastri wasted no time in making his move on Lando Norris. The Australian executed a clean and confident overtake, diving past his teammate to take the lead. Norris, unable to defend, reported battery deployment issues that left him exposed on the straights. The shift in momentum was immediate, and it set the tone for a race that would ultimately swing in Piastri’s favour.

Max and Charles battle for 3rd. The move to slicks saved Leclerc and allowed him to control 3rd position
Further back, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen engaged in a fierce fight for third. The pair traded places in the damp middle sector, with Verstappen momentarily edging ahead through Les Combes. However, it was Leclerc’s who stayed ahead. The Ferrari was beginning to struggle on the Intermediates and a strategic switch to slick tyres that made the difference. Timing his stop to perfection, the Monegasque driver leapfrogged Verstappen and found himself in clean air. From there, he managed the race smartly, holding on to third with clinical control as conditions improved.

Lewis Hamilton’s Gritty Climb from Pit Lane to P7 at Spa

Lewis Hamilton produced a quietly outstanding performance in Sunday’s rain hit Belgian Grand Prix, turning a pit lane start into a hard earned seventh place finish. While McLaren grabbed the spotlight with a dominant 1–2, Hamilton’s drive was a lesson in strategy, composure, and racecraft.

Starting from the pit lane due to overnight power unit changes, Hamilton had little to lose, and Ferrari knew it. As a dry line began to emerge after the early laps on intermediates, Hamilton was the first to gamble on slick tyres. It was a bold call, and it paid off handsomely.

While others hesitated, Hamilton took full advantage of the clear track, setting fast laps and jumping several rivals during the pit stop phase. His timing was impeccable, and his tyre management exemplary. In typical Hamilton fashion, he kept things clean, calm, and consistent while navigating ever changing conditions.

Although Ferrari didn’t have the outright pace to challenge the leaders, Hamilton made steady progress through the field, executing several key overtakes and maximising every opportunity. His drive was a clear demonstration of his experience and his ability to adapt in tricky circumstances.

To finish seventh after starting from the pit lane, especially in a race defined by changing weather and strategy swings, was a superb effort. For Ferrari, it was a much needed result, and for Hamilton, it was yet another reminder of why he remains one of the sharpest minds on the grid. Props to Ferrari for finally making good strategic calls.

It may not have been a podium, but it was a performance full of grit, intelligence, and trademark Hamilton resilience, one that added depth to a race already rich in drama.

Piastri managing tyres as he pitted for mediums and Norris pitted for hards
As the track dried and the slick phase began, McLaren split their strategies. Piastri took on the medium compound, prioritising flexibility and balance, while Norris went for the hards in a bid to push aggressively to the end. Norris had a bit of a compromised pit on the front left. McLaren needs to sort this as it has been an issue for 4 races in a row. Piastri’s tyre management proved masterful, keeping a consistent pace while maintaining the gap to his charging teammate. His ability to preserve grip and minimise wear under pressure was a key factor in his eventual triumph at Spa.

Late push from Norris to catch Piastri charge was squashed by a Turn 1 lock up
Norris launched a spirited late charge, slashing an eight second deficit to just three as the final laps approached. With his harder tyres offering durability, the Brit began to reel Piastri in and looked poised to mount a last gasp challenge. But a costly lock up into Turn 1 dashed his hopes, scrubbing vital tyre surface and allowing the gap to widen once more. A series of small but crucial errors during the push cost Norris dearly, as Piastri remained composed and unflappable out front.

Piastri wins, Norris 2nd, and Leclerc 3rd. Excellent race from Hamilton from pitlane to 7th. Great to see a Williams in the points
Oscar Piastri crossed the line to take a well earned victory, his second of the season, delivering a flawless performance in the ever changing conditions. Norris followed him home in second, securing a dominant day for McLaren and crucial points in the Constructors’ Championship. Leclerc rounded out the podium, while Lewis Hamilton capped off a brilliant comeback from the pitlane to finish seventh. There was further reason to celebrate as Williams brought home a precious point, proof that perseverance, smart strategy, and a touch of boldness can still go a long way in Formula 1.

Analysis

Tyre Strategy Analysis:

Tyre management was at the heart of the Belgian Grand Prix, and the graphic tells a clear story: a one-stop inters-to-mediums strategy was the dominant and most effective approach. Piastri, Verstappen, and Leclerc all committed to this plan, maintaining performance throughout on new medium rubber. Norris went the Hard instead of the medium to split the strategy and late push for the win. Most of the top 10 followed suit, making the crucial switch around lap 12–13. Alonso, Sainz, and Hadjar gambled with two stops and varying compounds, including late hard tyre stints. These alternate strategies failed to yield returns, as they lost both pace and track position. With Spa offering fewer overtaking chances this year due to damp but drying conditions, the simple route proved the most rewarding.

Race Standings Analysis:

The Spa Francorchamps circuit delivered a strategic chess match, but the race was largely defined by what happened in the first 15 laps. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris remained unshaken at the front, executing the switch from inters to slicks seamlessly while chaos unfolded behind. Leclerc and Verstappen jostled for the final podium slot, with Leclerc ultimately edging it through consistency rather than fireworks. Further back, the graphic reveals a dramatic mid race shakeup, caused by a flurry of pit stops and bold tyre gambles, which saw drivers like Hamilton, Albon and Russell gain ground while others, like Alonso and Sainz, faded after early promise.

Pit Times Analysis:

Pit stop execution played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome at Spa, with VCARB topping the charts for efficiency at an average time of 23.44 seconds. Mercedes and Ferrari weren’t far behind, both dipping well under the race average of 23.98s, showcasing solid operational performance in the pitlane. In contrast, McLaren, despite not being the outright fastest, struck a balance between slick strategy and solid stops (24.09s), enough to maintain track position when it mattered. Red Bull, often surgical in the pits, were surprisingly off the boil, clocking 24.63s and losing valuable time in a race defined by fine margins. Williams languished at the bottom with 25.03s average pit time, underlining ongoing operational struggles. When seconds make positions, these gaps matter, and they did.

Summary

Out front, Piastri was serene. Smooth, composed, and in total command of his machinery, he absorbed the pressure and delivered a flawless drive in demanding conditions. The Australian crossed the line to take his second win of the season, with Norris trailing home in second and Leclerc rounding out the podium.

There was joy elsewhere too. Hamilton finished a superb seventh, a remarkable recovery given his starting position and the early chaos, and there was cause for celebration at Williams, as Alex Albon brought home a valuable point in 6th, an encouraging sign for the Grove outfit as they continue their rebuild.

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix had everything: rain, drama, strategy, overtakes, and a deserved winner in Oscar Piastri. As the summer break looms, McLaren head into the second half of the season not just as contenders, but as a team with serious title ambitions.

Question

Question of the Week: Classic Wet Race At The Cost Of Safety Going Forward?

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