Brilliant Piastri took 'huge risk, huge reward' approach to outclass Norris

18:11, 27 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

Oscar Piastri won the F1 2025 Belgian Grand Prix ahead of Lando Norris with a daring move on his teammate that proved to be crucial in terms of the race result.

Speaking after the race the Australian described his move: "Lively, very lively," he said.

"I knew that lap one was going to be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of turn one and then lifted as little as I did through Eau Rouge and then it was enough."

Piastri clinched win despite struggles

"The rest of the race we managed really well. I was struggling a little bit at the end," he admitted as his medium tyres were falling away. "Maybe the medium wasn't the best for the last five or six laps, but we had it mostly under control, which is what I wanted."

Despite his dissappointment for not starting on pole, Piastri's mind was changed after bagging his 6th win of the F1 2025 season.

"I was pretty disappointed with myself after yesterday, but starting second as well, not too bad after all," he said.

Regarding his bold move for the lead on Norris he explained further. "To be honest I was a bit disappointed it was a rolling start because I thought that was going to take away some opportunity."

"But I got a good exit out of Turn 1, was able to stay close and then, you know, when I was that close I knew I was just going to lift a little bit less than Lando did and try and keep it on the track"

"[It was] a bit lively up over the hill but I managed to make it stick and then from there the tyre helped me out so I'm proud of my first lap."

Piastri had the same contingency plan as Norris in Spa

Piastri had the same plan as Norris, to move on to the hard tyre if he was second behind his teammate.

"I mean, I kind of had the same plan if I was going to be second, so I kind of knew that was going to be a likely decision for him. I think for me, the medium was the safest tyre to be on at that point."

"You never know if someone's going to crash and there's a safety car, and then at that point you want a medium for the restart and also the medium seemed pretty good in the sprint yesterday, so I think it didn't make too much difference"

"When you're fighting like that, one-two, you're always going to try and get an advantage in one way or another and I think we did the safest thing."

Piastri goes back to the stage of his first major F1 success

Piastri took his maiden win last year at the Hungaroring, where the F1 circus is traveling next for the last race before the summer break. The Australian said: "Yeah definitely, it's going to be exciting to go back."

"It's a track I enjoy and it's the scene of my first win last year, so I'm looking forward to getting back and hopefully we can continue the momentum."

"This weekend the pace to getting back and hopefully we can continue the momentum because this weekend the pace has been incredibly strong."