Nothing can rain on Piastri parade

FORMULA ONE By PHILIP DUNCAN

- By PHILIP DUNCAN

LANDO Norris’ world championship bid was dealt a blow in Belgium after he allowed rival Oscar Piastri to breeze past him and win Sunday’s rain-hit Grand Prix race.

The start of the 13th round in Spa-Francorchamps was delayed by one hour and 20 minutes due to heavy rain in the Ardennes.

But when it eventually got under way - following four precautionary laps behind the safety car - Norris was found wanting when a sloppy exit at the opening La Source corner provided Piastri with a race-winning opportunity too good to turn down.

Despite being in Norris’ spray, Piastri held his nerve and kept his foot on the accelerator at 170mph up through Eau Rouge and into Raidillon before jinking to his left and sailing clear of his McLaren teammate on the Kemmel Straight.