Piastri Reveals Nerves in Spa Win, Matches Ricciardo’s Record

Oscar Piastri of the McLaren team clinched victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, equaling compatriot Daniel Ricciardo’s eight career wins. Based on an in-depth analysis by SPORTRIK of official Formula 1 interviews, Piastri admitted to feeling “nervous” during the race due to Lando Norris’s tire strategy. Consequently, this article examines Piastri’s race dynamics, his strategic decisions, and their championship implications, with facts sourced from the official interview.

The Belgian Grand Prix faced a delay of over an hour due to heavy rain, starting with four laps behind the safety car. Piastri seized the lead from Norris on the first lap after his teammate’s error at Turn 1. However, managing the intermediate tires in drying conditions proved challenging. “It was a tough race,” Piastri stated in the official interview. “The intermediates were tricky because the track was drying quickly, and you can ruin them in a lap or two if you push too hard.”

Furthermore, after switching to medium tires, Piastri noticed Norris on hard tires performing comparably. “I felt good on the mediums for about five laps, but when I saw the hard tire on Lando’s car wasn’t worse, I was nervous,” he admitted. With nearly 25 laps remaining, he feared Norris might close the gap. Nevertheless, the medium tires held up better than expected, allowing Piastri to maintain his lead and secure the win, finishing 3.4 seconds ahead of Norris.

Piastri’s victory marked his eighth career win, matching Daniel Ricciardo’s tally in 199 fewer starts, as well as Norris and Charles Leclerc, who joined him on the podium. The win extended Piastri’s championship lead over Norris from nine to 16 points, a critical margin in his pursuit to become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980.

Reflecting on Norris’s choice of hard tires, Piastri noted that the team had discussed this option pre-race. “If I was in Lando’s position, I probably would have done the same thing,” he said. The late decision to pit carried risks, as the hard tire, two steps harder than the medium, was less predictable in those conditions. Moreover, a potential safety car could have favored medium tires. “There are risks both ways, but I’m happy with what we did,” Piastri added. Thus, his strategic tire management was key to fending off Norris.

Oscar Piastri’s victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, matching Daniel Ricciardo’s eight wins, showcased his ability to manage nerves and tire strategy under pressure. For this reason, his extended championship lead strengthens his title contention. Therefore, Piastri’s focus on consistency will be vital in upcoming races. For in-depth analysis of Formula 1 dynamics, visit SPORTRIK.