Formula 1: Again XXL waiting time in Spa: Piatri wins in Regenchaos

After the game of patience in the rain chaos of Spa, Oscar Piatri was celebrated in the arms of his mechanics and also cheered on the expansion of his World Cup lead. “It was quite turbulent,” said the McLaren driver after his sixth Formula 1 season victory and grin. The first title win for Piatri is becoming increasingly realistic for more than half of the seasonal runs.

The 24-year-old kept the nerve after a long waiting time before the start and distanced the once more beaten teammate Lando Norris after an early overtaking maneuver clever. “In the beginning I had the best chance to win. After that, I only managed it. The tires broken down, but we had it quite well under control,” said Piatri.

Norris cannot do anything against Piatri

One day after his surprising sprint success, world champion Max Verstappen had to be content with fourth place in the Red Bull behind Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. For the Dutch, the renewed successful title defense could become an unsolvable task.

Due to his triumph at the Grand Prix of Belgium, Piatri has already made 81 points ahead of the third -placed Verstappen, the second remains Norris with 16 points behind. “Oscar just did it well, I can’t say more,” said Norris, who was beaten again: “He deserves it. If he drives perfectly, I can’t do anything.”

Nico Hülkenberg was unable to repeat his violently cheered Podest Coup from Silverstone three weeks later. The German veteran missed the dot length as twelfth.

First attempt fails in the rain

A strong rain shower a good half an hour before the planned start at 3:00 p.m. ensured that it could not be started normally. A first attempt behind the Safety Car failed on the wet slopes mainly because of the poor view, the starting procedure was canceled. Even before the first round of the 13th World Cup run of the year was shot, the drivers had to go back to the pit lane and got out of their cars again.

“This is a bit silly. I mean, you should just drive a few laps, my goodness,” said Verstappen: “They are too careful, now the heavy rain comes, then there will be a three -hour delay.”

It didn’t come like that, but only after more than an hour break did it go out again in significantly better conditions. Four rounds were made behind the safety car of the German driver Bernd Mayländer before the race was finally released at 4:32 p.m. with more than 90-minute delay. And immediately Polesetter Norris lost first place to Piatri. The Australian quickly sucked up cleverly and passed without effort.

No racing farce like four years ago

Quite a few had feared that things would go in the same place as four years ago. In 2021, only two rounds were driven behind the Safety Car in the shortest race in Formula 1 history. In even worse conditions, Verstappen was only considered the winner more than three and a half hours after the originally scheduled racing start, but only received half of the World Cup points. There was violent criticism at the time because the fans couldn’t get the money back for their tickets, although there was no real race.

Now the spectators saw how the view improved in the sunshine. “It dries off quickly,” said record world champion Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari superstar won the Grand Prix in the Mercedes last year, but now had to start from the pit lane. After a completely messed up qualification and an engine change, the 40-year-old worked through the field forward and also overtook Hülkenberg.

Hülkenberg without chance for the next podium

In the first race after his sensational third place in Silverstone, the Rhinelander was once again in midfield. In England, the 37 -year -old was finally the first podium late in the career, but it was not close in Belgium in the event of wet conditions again – also because the tire strategy did not work this time.

Nothing changed at the top even after the first tire change: Piatri led confidently in front of Norris, followed by a greater distance Leclerc, where Verstappen did not come by. The four -time champion had surprisingly won the sprint on Saturday and kept the two McLaren behind.

Verstappen gave his new team boss Laurent Mekies the first success. The Frenchman had replaced Christian Horner a good two weeks ago, who had run the racing team for more than 20 years, but was now resolved with immediate effect.

Without a real racing action, the top group spilled round by round. Norris only moved closer to Piatri. The Australian wanted to avoid another pit stop by a beautiful trip – and was successful with this tactic.