Piastri luxuriates in Spa day after storming past Norris

In hindsight, Oscar Piastri’s wry smile was indicative of the events that followed.

- KIERAN JACKSON AT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

Sitting on pole for Saturday’s sprint race, the Australian was powerless to stop Max Verstappen storming past him on the first racing lap. But for the grand prix, with McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris out in front, second-placed Piastri had the opportunity to follow suit. When asked, a weak attempt at a poker face could not hide his clear agenda.

And after a start which was delayed by one hour and 20 minutes following a heavy downpour on a murky day at Spa-Francorchamps, Piastri stole a march on Norris - after four laps behind the safety car - with what turned out to be a simple overtake on the first racing lap. It would be the race-winning moment.

As the track quickly dried up, the McLaren pair went on different strategies and it was Piastri who managed to keep the lead, despite his set of worn-out tyres, to claim his sixth victory of the season and first in four races. The gap between the McLaren pair at the top is now 16 points, heading into round 14 in Hungary next weekend.

Charles Leclerc took home a respectable third place for Ferrari, with Max Verstappen largely powerless in fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who started in the pit lane, recovered impressively to come home in seventh to conclude a wretched weekend for the seven-time world champion.