George Russell clinched a stunning victory at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, holding off a fierce challenge from Oscar Piastri in a rain-hit thriller at Spa-Francorchamps. The Mercedes driver started from pole and led most of the race, but variable weather forced teams into split strategies that shook up the order.
Early laps saw Max Verstappen, starting from third in his Red Bull, push hard to overtake Piastri’s McLaren. A light drizzle on lap 10 triggered the first pit stops for intermediates, catching out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who slid off into the gravel at Eau Rouge and triggered a safety car.
Russell pitted perfectly, emerging ahead, while teammate Lewis Hamilton – now in his first season with Ferrari – fought back from a poor start to grab fourth. Piastri closed the gap in the final stint on drying slicks, but Russell’s defense held firm, crossing the line 1.2 seconds ahead.
Verstappen rounded out the podium in third, extending his championship lead. Lando Norris in the other McLaren finished fifth, ahead of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly impressed with seventh, while rookie Oliver Bearman scored points for Haas in ninth.
The result tightens the constructors’ battle, with Mercedes closing on Red Bull. Next up: the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
