Oscar Piastri Belgian GP Practice performance turned heads as the McLaren driver stormed to the top of the timesheets at Spa. In a session filled with pace shifts and tyre strategies, Piastri pulled out a lap that left even Verstappen trailing. Fans at the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix were treated to a surprise twist in the championship storyline.
Piastri Steals the Spotlight at Spa
From the moment the cars rolled out, it was clear teams were pushing hard despite just one practice session. Carlos Sainz had early issues, crawling his way back to the pits with a fuel system fault. But all eyes soon turned to the McLaren garage.
Lando Norris laid down an early marker before Max Verstappen answered on medium tyres. Then Piastri arrived with something special. On hard tyres, he clocked a stunning 1:44.979, later improving to a scorching 1:42.022. That time proved unbeatable.
McLaren’s Momentum and Verstappen’s Response
Max Verstappen responded with precision, posting sector-best times and narrowing the gap. Still, he fell four tenths short. His Red Bull looked quick on the straights, but the McLaren had the edge through the corners. Norris, too, impressed after a slight off-track moment, rebounding to third on the timesheet.
Mercedes showed solid pace with George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli close behind. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc flirted with the top but ultimately settled into fifth, unable to match the McLaren pace over a full lap.
Performance and Pace Breakdown
Piastri’s best lap, 1:42.022, demonstrated not just raw speed but control across Spa’s challenging sectors. Verstappen’s 1:42.426 earned him second, with Norris less than a tenth behind on 1:42.526. The top three were separated by half a second , tight margins that could hint at an intense qualifying.
Russell and Leclerc filled out the top five, while Antonelli’s sixth-place result underlined Mercedes’ depth. Lewis Hamilton, now in Ferrari red, managed seventh. Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso brought Aston Martin into the top 10, alongside rookie standout Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls.
What This Means for the Weekend
With only one practice, the pressure is on to deliver in qualifying. Piastri’s form will give McLaren a big confidence boost, and Verstappen won’t take it lightly. The narrow margins between top runners suggest Spa could host a very competitive Grand Prix.
McLaren’s 1-3 result hints at a team on the rise, not just chasing podiums but now setting the pace. If conditions stay consistent, qualifying could turn into a three-way shootout among McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.
Summary
Oscar Piastri’s performance in the sole practice session at Spa-Francorchamps might just signal a shift in the 2025 F1 landscape. Beating Max Verstappen by four tenths is no easy feat, but Piastri did it with style. With the Belgian Grand Prix shaping up to be a thriller, this weekend could be a defining moment in the season.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 8 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 11 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Logan Sargeant | Williams |
| 13 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 15 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 16 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber |
| 17 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 19 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 20 | Carlos Sainz | Red Bull |
Disclaimer: All timing and performance data are based on Free Practice 1 results and are subject to change over the race weekend.
Source: FIA
