Oscar Piastri claimed victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, avenging his loss at the British Grand Prix where a time penalty cost him the win. Piastri effectively decided the race with his overtaking move in the opening lap, leading foreign media to label the race at Spa-Francorchamps as ‘boring’.
The Belgian Grand Prix was essentially decided on the Kemmel Straight in the opening lap. Oscar Piastri immediately overtook polesitter and teammate Lando Norris, and never relinquished his lead in the race. The British newspaper The Guardian noted that their compatriot had lost the race in the first few meters. “The 24-year-old Australian showed determination, conviction, and was able to eliminate his McLaren teammate Lando Norris under challenging conditions and without too much pressure. The title fight will be decided between these two drivers. Moments like in Spa can play a decisive role.”
The Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung also highlighted Piastri’s decisive overtaking move in the opening lap, particularly enjoying that the Australian made his manoeuvre after the ‘legendary corner combination’ of Eau Rouge. “Piastri’s courage paid off on the Kemmel Straight immediately after Eau Rouge. The Australian had a surplus of speed and almost playfully overtook his teammate, who had been leading the race until then.”
‘Furious Comeback by Hamilton’
The Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport witnessed ‘another one-two’ for McLaren at Spa-Francorchamps, although the roles were reversed compared to the British GP three weeks earlier. “In the university of Formula 1, it is Oscar Piastri who takes on the role of professor. The Australian wins in Spa, thanks to a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre on his teammate Lando Norris. McLaren was clearly superior to the other cars.” The Italian media also mentioned the impressive comeback race by Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver started eighteenth in the main event and crossed the finish line in seventh place. “Hamilton’s furious comeback quickly made us forget the rest of a difficult weekend.”
‘Boring’
For the French, the Grand Prix in neighbouring Belgium was mainly a ‘boring’ story. L’Équipe therefore believes that there was only one man happy with the course of the race at Spa-Francorchamps. “And strangely enough, that happy man is someone who normally doesn’t show anything. So we will remember that Oscar Piastri showed his joy at Spa-Francorchamps. And not just a little. After processing the penalty in Silverstone, Piastri takes revenge in Belgium.”
