Piastri thought rolling start would cost him best chance to pass Norris

Oscar Piastri thought race control’s decision to use a rolling start might cost him his best chance to take the lead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

However he successfully passed Lando Norris to take the lead and went on to lead his team mate to victory.

Race control announced they would use a rolling start after delaying the race by 90 minutes after heavy rain fell at the circuit. “To be honest I was a bit disappointed it was a rolling start because I thought that was going to take away some opportunity,” Piastri admitted afterwards.

However he emerged from La Source close to Norris as the race began, then gained more ground on him when they slowed for the Eau Rouge-Raidillon sequence.

“I got a good exit out of turn one, was able to stay close and then when I was that close I knew that I was just going to lift a little bit less than Lando did and try and keep it on the track,” he said. “It was a bit lively up over the hill but I managed to make it stick and then from there the tow helped me out, so I’m proud of my first lap.”

Piastri lost the lead of the sprint race to Max Verstappen yesterday after starting from pole position. He said the start of the grand prix was always likely to be critical for his victory chances.

“I knew that lap one was going to be probably my best chance of winning the race,” he said. “I got a good exit out of turn one and then lifted as little as I dared through Eau Rouge and then that was enough.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

After taking the lead, Piastri pitted for slick tyres before Norris and out-ran him to the finish. Norris opted for hard tyres and gained on Piastri on his mediums but wasn’t able to catch him before the end of the race.

“The rest of the race we managed really well,” he said. “I was struggling a little bit at the end, 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.

“I was pretty disappointed with myself after yesterday but it turns out starting second at Spa’s not too bad after all.”

Go ad-free for just £1 per month

>> Find out more and sign up

2025 Belgian Grand Prix

• Would another strategy have improved Norris’s chances of winning? Belgian GP data
• Remember Spa’s history says Leclerc after criticism of delayed start to wet race
• Mercedes took a step backwards a few months ago says Russell after poor Spa weekend
• Mekies apologises to Tsunoda for late pit call which dropped him out of points
• Verstappen and Hamilton question race control’s conservative calls in wet Belgian GP

Browse all 2025 Belgian Grand Prix articles