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Malaysian Paper SCAN ME Piastri outfoxes outfoxes Norris TUESDAY | JULY 29, 2025

AFPPIC

Oscar extends title lead after copying Verstappen with a wily race start at Spa

Ű BY KIERAN JACKSON

knew lap one would be my best chance of winning the race. I lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge and it was enough. “We had it mostly under control. Turns out starting second is not too bad after all.” For a while, it seemed as if we might not get a race at all. Amid heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps – four years on from a farcical two-lap race here behind the safety car in treacherous conditions – the grand prix started behind the safety car with the formation lap. However, with the majority of drivers reporting poor visibility, including pole-sitter Norris, the FIA took a cautious approach and the start was suspended. Max Verstappen, a master in the wet, disagreed with the call but was a lone voice in criticising the decision. The race was delayed for 80 minutes before the sun emerged over the hills of the Ardennes Forest. Yet race director Rui Marques opted for the unorthodox rolling start, seemingly handing the initiative to Norris. But Piastri, starting in second, crept up on the gearbox of his McLaren teammate and, at the start of the Kemmel Straight, the exact same spot where Verstappen overtook him in the shortened sprint race, pounced with a comfortable move and, in no time at all, opened up a sizable one-second lead in the rain. Norris complained about his battery pack failing him when it mattered most, but an overtake was inevitable regardless. After a dozen laps, dry tyres were the optimal rubber and Hamilton – positioned at the start in de facto 18th – gambled first, in an attempt to make up some quick positions. Race leader Piastri dived into the pit lane a lap later, given priority in the teammate stakes courtesy of his superior position, and after a slow stop for Norris, the Australian had a seismic six-second lead. “No rush here,” said Norris’s engineer Will Joseph, with a nod to the

RESULTS & STANDINGS

I N hindsight, Oscar Piastri’s wry smile was indicative of the events that followed. Sitting on pole for Saturday’s sprint race, the Australian was powerless to stop Max Verstappen storming past him on the first racing lap. But for the grand prix, with McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris out in front, second-placed Piastri had the opportunity to follow suit. When asked, a weak attempt at a poker face could not hide his clear agenda. “I knew lap one would be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn One, lifted as little as I dared out of Eau Rouge,” he said. “The rest of the race we managed really well. I struggled at the end. Maybe the mediums were not the best for the last five or six laps. We had it mostly under control.” And after a start which was delayed by one hour and 20 minutes following a heavy downpour on a murky day at Spa-Francorchamps, Piastri stole a march on Norris – after four laps behind the safety car – with what turned out to be a simple overtake on the first racing lap. It would be the race winning moment. As the track quickly dried up, the McLaren pair went on different strategies and it was Piastri who managed to keep the lead, despite his set of worn-out tyres, to claim his sixth victory of the season and first in four races. The gap between the McLaren pair at the top is now 16 points, heading into round 14 in Hungary next weekend. Charles Leclerc took home a respectable third place for Ferrari, with Max Verstappen largely powerless in fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who started in the pit lane, recovered impressively to come home in seventh to conclude a wretched weekend for the seven-time world champion. For Piastri, however, a rare expletive-led show of joy at the chequered flag: “Nicely f****** done.” He later added: “It was very lively! I

Briton going to the end of the race on his set of hard tyres. The other 19 cars all switched to mediums. “Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run,” Norris said. “So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today.” – The Independent/Reuters Constructors: 1. McLaren 516 pts, 2. Ferrari 248, 3. Mercedes 220, 4. Red Bull 192, 5. Williams 70, 6. Sauber 43, 7. Racing Bulls 41, 8. Aston Martin 36, 9. Haas 35, 10. Alpine 20. BELGIAN GP RESULTS (TOP10): 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) , 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) , 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) , 4. Max Verstap pen (Red Bull) , 5. George Russell (Mercedes) , 6. Alexander Albon (Williams) , 7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) , 8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) , 9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) , 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) . WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS Drivers: 1. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 266 pts, 2. Lando Norris (GBR) 250, 3. Max Verstappen (NED) 185, 4. George Russell (GBR) 157, 5. Char les Leclerc (MON) 139, 6. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 109, 7. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) 63, 8. Alexan der Albon (THA) 54, 9. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 37, 10. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 27, 11. Isack Hadjar (FRA) 22, 12. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 20, 13. Lance Stroll (CAN) 20, 14. Liam Lawson (NZL) 16, 15. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 16, 16. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 16, 17. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 10, 18. Oliver Bearman (GBR) 8, 19. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) 6, 20. Franco Colapinto (ARG) 0.

Imperious Pogacar

Story on page 28

Wiegman hails Lioness

Story on page 30

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri celebrates atop his car after winning the Belgian Grand Prix. – AFPPIC

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