Oscar Piastri Secures Sprint Pole at Belgian GP Leading Championship

Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance at the Belgian Grand Prix by securing pole position for Saturday's Sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps, breaking the lap record previously held by Lewis Hamilton since 2020. Piastri, who leads the Drivers' Championship by eight points over teammate Lando Norris, outpaced Max Verstappen and Norris by significant margins, establishing himself as the favorite for both the Sprint and the main race. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton struggled throughout qualifying, spinning out during Q1 and starting 18th, hampered by issues suspected to involve his car's rear axle. The weekend also marks a transitional moment for Red Bull, with Laurent Mekies replacing Christian Horner as team principal, though Verstappen still managed to secure second on the grid. Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman notably performed well among midfield teams, while Norris, despite back-to-back wins earlier in the season, qualified only third. The session underscored McLaren's strong form and Piastri's rising dominance in the championship battle.