Lando Norris acknowledged his lack of commitment during the opening lap of the rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix. Due to heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps, the race was delayed by 90 minutes as race control deemed the conditions too dangerous.
Oscar Piastri made a decisive move during the rolling start, securing the race lead on the same straight where he had lost to Max Verstappen in a previous Sprint race. Piastri’s strategic move now puts him 17 points ahead of his McLaren teammate and Formula 1 title competitor.
Acknowledging Piastri’s performance, Norris commented, “Oscar executed his strategy well and deserved the victory today.” Piastri, initially concerned that the rolling start would hinder his chances, managed to outmaneuver his rival, securing the crucial lead.
Piastri opted for medium tires while Norris took a risk with hard tires as the track dried up. However, Norris suffered three late mistakes, allowing Piastri and the rest of the pack to gain an advantage. Despite the setbacks, Norris expressed satisfaction with his performance, mentioning the challenges of pushing to the limit in racing.
Charles Leclerc claimed the final podium spot, with Verstappen settling for fourth in Red Bull’s first Grand Prix without Christian Horner. Verstappen voiced frustration with the FIA for what he believed was an overly cautious approach that impacted the race’s intensity.
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Verstappen criticized the delayed start of the race, suggesting a more proactive approach to wet racing conditions for a more exciting competition. Emphasizing the need for thrilling wet races like the one at Silverstone, Verstappen called for a balanced approach to managing unpredictable weather conditions on race days.
