Piastri Halts Norris’ Ascendancy Just in Time
After achieving two consecutive victories, Lando Norris found himself closing in on his teammate and primary championship contender, rekindling the hopes of regaining the championship lead ahead of the summer break. The British driver has displayed significant improvement in recent races, particularly in refining his driving techniques, resulting in strong performances.
However, the Spa race wasn’t perfect for him. While it can be excused that Norris lost the lead to Oscar Piastri following a safety car pit stop, it is fair to argue that he could have pursued the Australian more effectively. A few missteps cost him valuable time and ultimately hindered his ability to contest Piastri in the closing laps. Whether he would have caught him without the pit stop delay remains uncertain, but it is clear that Norris was not at his peak.
Conversely, Piastri once again demonstrated his capability under pressure and will head into the Hungarian race with a more comfortable lead in the championship.
Ferrari Remains Struggling – Yet Poised for P2 in Championship
“We don’t have anything in the car that gives us hope to compete with Red Bull or McLaren, unfortunately,” stated Charles Leclerc after finishing fourth in Saturday’s sprint race.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP via Getty Images
However, Sunday presented a different scenario. The Monegasque driver capitalized on Max Verstappen‘s difficult final lap in qualifying, securing third on the grid. He showcased the pace necessary to keep the Red Bull at bay during the race, achieving his fourth podium in the last six races.
Leclerc’s strong showing, paired with Lewis Hamilton‘s impressive climb from 18th to seventh, enhances Ferrari’s position as the leading team behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship.
While Ferrari is still not a championship-winning team, they are effectively doing their job while Red Bull relies heavily on one driver for points and Mercedes struggles to regain momentum after prior successes.
Spa Reveals Challenges for Mekies Despite Verstappen’s Sprint Win
Laurent Mekies’ tenure as Red Bull’s team principal began with accolades, but also marked by Max Verstappen’s sprint victory at Spa, his first of the season. Red Bull’s strategic decision to reduce rear wing downforce paid off, allowing Verstappen to fend off McLaren effectively.
However, reality set in during the main race. McLaren proved to be significantly faster, and Red Bull’s configuration prevented Verstappen from overtaking Leclerc for third place, resulting in a missed podium. This highlighted that there is no quick fix for Red Bull this season.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Yves Herman / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
This round’s significant update package, despite its effectiveness, has not resolved the balance issues plaguing the RB21. As Verstappen noted, this season’s turnaround is unlikely, stating during a media session: “When I watch certain onboard footage, I realize enough.”
Albon and Williams Break Losing Streak
Williams enjoyed a strong start to the season, but as competitors brought more upgrades, their fifth place in the constructors’ standings began to feel precarious, particularly with a revitalized Sauber team emerging as a threat.
Struggling with chronic cooling issues, Williams faced challenges in consistently scoring points. However, in Belgium, they introduced significant upgrades, including a new floor. With Alex Albon at the wheel, the enhanced Williams fought competitively in the midfield, securing sixth place in both the sprint and the main race despite Carlos Sainz‘s troubled race from the pitlane.
Albon adeptly resisted a rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton in the latter part of the Spa-Francorchamps race, giving the team confidence as they prepare for the more challenging Hungaroring circuit. They will enter the summer break with a likely comfortable lead over their midfield rivals.
Delayed Restart Highlights Ongoing Wet Weather Challenges in F1
While the catastrophic events of 2021 were avoided, the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix fell short of being a classic. With rain conditions, an intriguing grid, and a breathtaking track, expectations were high, yet the race didn’t quite deliver.
The FIA Safety Car in the Pitlane.
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
One contributing factor to the subdued race was the excessively delayed start following a red flag, even though conditions had cleared considerably in the Ardennes by that time. This caution from the FIA seemed misplaced, as the drivers were able to switch to intermediate tires immediately, with slicks becoming viable after just 11 laps.
The FIA’s decision reflects ongoing challenges in wet conditions, specifically concerning visibility and the full wet tires. This time, visibility was the predominant issue, with various drivers expressing concerns over the radio. Despite expectations that the current car designs would mitigate spray problems, Spa highlighted that these issues continue to pose significant barriers to racing in wet conditions.
