Norris disappoints British media with mistake: 'Fine margins on Piastri's side'

07:56, 28 Jul

byKada Sarkozi

On Sunday, it was Oscar Piastri's day at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The Australian driver could win starting from second place, and extended his gap ahead of Norris in the championship. British media reacted to the latter once again missing out.

After the hotly-debated delay at the Belgian GP and the rolling start, already as Norris made a mistake into the first corner, his teammate, Piastri, was on his gearbox and he eventually got past him on the Kemmel Straight.

With this result over the Sprint and the Grand Prix, as the Australian finished ahead of his teammate on both occasions, he extended his lead by eight points in the standings. The gap between the two currently stands at 16 points.

BBC Sport

According to the public broadcaster in the United Kingdom, the Belgian GP showed the fine margins in favour of the Australian that could decide the 2025 drivers' title.

"Norris may look back on a few small errors in which he could have done better. He said he "couldn't have won". He probably could not. But he could have given himself a slither of a chance, despite the difficult position he was in by leading at the start."

The Guardian

The British medium was also amazed by Piastri's overtake on Norris and his commitment into Eau Rouge and Raidillon already on the first lap.

"It was, then, another combative statement of intent from the Australian, demonstrating that even when he is on the back foot he retains a fierce determination. Once he had retaken the lead from second on the grid he was in assured control from the front, with the same measured, calm confidence that is almost disarming as it becomes ominously clear to his rivals that he has all the traits of a world champion in waiting."

The Mirror

The Mirror saw Norris keeping up with his teammate after his issues with recharging were fixed, however, they also saw the errors the Briton made when chasing Piastri on the stint on the slicks.

"Norris began closing again but another error with two laps to go ended the slim hopes he still had of catching his rival."

Daily Mail

Despite Norris' more encouraging results lately, having won twice in a row and in a confident way at the Red Bull Ring, the Daily Mail once again saw the McLaren driver making mistakes.

"Just when you detect a smidgeon of a stiffening to his approach, as with his emphatic win in Austria last month, another reminder comes around the corner that McLaren have a Jackal in their team and that man exploding watermelons is Piastri, not the Briton."

"At the deciding moment, he had blinked. Piastri had shown pluck in excelsis, and the disparity was all too predictable."