Oscar Piastri wins the Belgian GP in a wet-dry thriller, extending his title lead over McLaren team mate Lando Norris after a late-race showdown.
Introduction
In one of the most thrilling races of the season so far, Oscar Piastri emerged victorious at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, navigating through a wet-to-dry transition and holding off a late surge from his McLaren team mate and title rival, Lando Norris. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, known for its unpredictable weather and dramatic turns, delivered a classic once again. Delayed by heavy rain and tension-filled from start to finish, the race served as a testament to Piastri’s growing maturity and raw pace in Formula 1.
1. The Rain Delay That Set the Tone
Imagine being ready for battle but having to wait in the trenches. That’s exactly what the drivers felt when torrential rain postponed the race start by nearly 80 minutes. Spa’s notorious weather struck again, making tire choice and strategy the first key players in a race that hadn’t even begun.
2. Piastri’s Perfect Launch Through Eau Rouge
When racing finally got underway on Lap 5, it didn’t take long for fireworks. Oscar Piastri, starting second, got a phenomenal run through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, catching polesitter Norris off guard. By the time they reached the Kemmel Straight, Piastri had already claimed the lead — well before the braking zone at Les Combes. That move? Smooth as silk and decisive.
3. Norris Struggles as Strategy Splits Emerge
While Piastri led the early laps comfortably, Norris started to drop back, clearly struggling for grip as the track dried. As team engineers scrambled for tire strategies, the split decision would define the next phase of the race.
4. The Crucial Lap 12 Pit Stop
On Lap 12, with a rapidly drying track, Piastri blinked first — switching to medium compound tires. Norris stayed out another lap and pitted for hards instead. That one-lap delay and choice of tire gave Piastri a 9-second lead once the field settled, a lead he would protect for the remainder of the race.
5. Norris’ Fightback in the Final Laps
To Norris’ credit, he didn’t give up. He began clawing back time, cutting the gap down to just over 3 seconds. But a small lock-up at La Source on the penultimate lap sealed his fate. Piastri kept his cool, finishing 3.4 seconds ahead and earning his third win of the season.
6. Leclerc Secures a Lonely Third
Behind the McLaren drama, Charles Leclerc delivered a solid yet uneventful race for Ferrari. Finishing 20 seconds off the lead, Leclerc held off Max Verstappen for the final podium spot. Considering Ferrari’s recent form, it was a much-needed result.
7. Verstappen’s Frustrated Fourth Place
Max Verstappen, who started further back, just couldn’t find the magic. Despite showing flashes of speed, he couldn’t get past Leclerc. The defending champ had to settle for P4, just 1.5 seconds off the podium, clearly not the result he was hoping for after winning the Sprint Race on Saturday.
8. Russell’s Quiet P5 Drive
George Russell had a quiet race but made it count. He passed Alex Albon early and then enjoyed a lonely stint in fifth. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was efficient — a hallmark of Russell’s 2024 season so far.
9. Albon and Hamilton Battle Through Midfield
Alex Albon had one of his best races this year, keeping Lewis Hamilton behind for most of the second half. Hamilton, starting from the pit lane after a setup change, drove brilliantly to P7, gaining 11 spots — a performance reminiscent of his vintage drives.
10. Rookie Spotlight: Lawson and Bortoleto
Rookies Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto continued to impress. Lawson took P8 in his Racing Bulls, while Bortoleto scored two points in P9 for Kick Sauber. It’s no exaggeration to say the future of F1 looks bright with these two.
11. Gasly’s Gritty Point in P10
Pierre Gasly rounded off the points, holding off a train of cars including Bearman, Hulkenberg, and Tsunoda. He had to defend aggressively, especially without DRS in the early stages — and he did just that.
12. Bearman, Tsunoda, and the DRS Train
Oliver Bearman was unlucky to miss out on points, finishing just behind Gasly. Yuki Tsunoda, meanwhile, lost a couple of positions late on and ended outside the top 10. Nico Hulkenberg, who had been in the points, had to pit again and fell to 12th.
13. Pit Lane Starters’ Uphill Battle
Starting from the pit lane is always a mountain to climb, and Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and Kimi Antonelli all struggled to make major progress. While Alonso and Sainz were anonymous throughout, Antonelli showed flashes of pace but still ended far outside the top 10.
14. Full House Finish – Every Driver Home
Amazingly, despite the chaotic weather and early tension, every driver finished the race. That’s rare for Spa, where incidents are almost expected. It speaks to both the driver discipline and the evolving safety standards in F1.
15. What This Means for the Championship
With this win, Oscar Piastri extends his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 16 points over Norris. More importantly, he’s proving that he’s not just fast — he’s consistent and calm under pressure. As we head into the final third of the season, the McLaren civil war for the title is heating up in spectacular fashion.
Conclusion
In the storybook that is the 2024 F1 season, this chapter at Spa-Francorchamps will be remembered as the one where Oscar Piastri truly arrived. With a bold overtake, smart strategy, and nerves of steel, he stamped his authority on the title fight. As McLaren continues to dominate, the battle between Piastri and Norris promises to be one for the ages. Buckle up — it’s far from over.
FAQs
1. How did the wet-dry conditions affect the Belgian GP outcome?
The changing weather conditions made tire strategy critical. Piastri’s early switch to mediums gave him the edge over Norris, who stayed out a lap longer.
2. Why did the Belgian GP start get delayed?
Heavy rain and unsafe track conditions delayed the start by almost 80 minutes, pushing the green flag to Lap 5 under better conditions.
3. How did Oscar Piastri overtake Lando Norris?
Piastri used the slipstream through Eau Rouge and completed the overtake on the Kemmel Straight before braking into Les Combes.
4. Did Max Verstappen have any issues during the race?
No major issues, but he struggled to pass Leclerc and couldn’t make up enough time to reach the podium after the pit strategies played out.
5. How many drivers finished the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix?
All 20 drivers reached the chequered flag — an impressive stat considering Spa’s reputation for retirements.
