Verstappen remains odds-on to take the major trophy on Sunday and indeed edged closer to the big one, too. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. For more information see our Privacy Policy. Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. Notably, he was also humble enough to know he has a long way to go but recognised that this was a moment to savour. Spa has clearly showed the potential that has made McLaren so optimistic about his future. He took fourth at Silverstone and at the last round in Hungary he made a superb start to take second place before finishing fifth. Up against the more experienced Lando Norris, he has demonstrated no fear and stepped up on repeated occasions. It is now in contention to be considered the second quickest in the field. He has been immense in his first season in F1, especially since McLaren delivered the upgrades that have catapulted their car up the grid. Piastri had been on point all day, including pushing Verstappen to the limit in qualifying, finishing one-hundredth of a second behind the champion. His pace was ominously strong, having put 6.6seconds on Piastri in six laps to the flag. Once Verstappen had passed he was gone, in what may well serve as a precursor for Sunday’s race, where he will start sixth after a grid penalty. “I was focusing on trying to do the best job, knowing it would be when, rather than if, Max came past.” “You’re always focusing on trying to do the best laps you can but when you have Max and his car behind you it doesn’t put your nerves ate ease, put it that way,” he said. He said it had been quite the experience, battling at the sharp end so soon into his career.

Nonetheless, the Australian held his place to take his first finish in the top three. Closing on him through Raidillon, he blasted past on the Kemmel straight. Piastri held his lead through La Source and through Eau Rouge before Verstappen’s pace proved indomitable. He controlled a safety car restart – again his first – only for the reality of F1 in 2023 to reassert itself. Unperturbed at leading his first race and with a prowling Verstappen on his tail, Piastri was serene. When Verstappen stopped a lap later Piastri had made hay on the better rubber and swept into the lead as the Dutchman emerged from the pits. Half the grid, including Piastri, pitted immediately while the world champion stayed out. Verstappen had started from pole in a rolling start on a drying track, with intermediate tyres required. At Spa-Francorchamps in the 11-lap dash in tricky wet-dry conditions he displayed all the confidence and control of a veteran.

The 22-year-old Australian is still finding his feet in F1 but the alacrity with which he is doing so suggests McLaren have a real talent.

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