Formula 1
Belgian GP Review: Heartbreak for Russell while Hamilton triumphs
Going into the Belgian GP, we had Mclaren or Redbull as the probable team for the win. But as unpredictable is the the 2024 season, it was a win for the Brackley outfit of Mercedes. How did the race unfold and what were the storylines to come out of Spa? All these question will be answered in the DRC’s weekend report.
Lukewarm Belgian GP for Mercedes
As the car no. 63 of George Russell crossed the finish line, the Mercedes garage was ecstatic. They had just scored a strong 1-2 with Lewis Hamilton coming in second. However some hours later, it was found out that George Russell’s car was 1.5 kg lighter than the minimum limit. Hence, he was given a ‘DSQ’ for the Belgian GP. This meant that a superb weekend for the Brackley outfit was reduced to a ‘Lukewarm’ one.
However this strategic error from Mercedes doesn’t take away the glamour of Russell’s one stop drive. He qualified P6 for the race and pitted on Lap 10 to switch to Hard tyres. This performance saw him nurse his tyres to an on-track win just half a second ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who started in P3.
He went on a 2-stop race and come the end of the race, he was P2 from Russell. With Russell having to manage his tyres, Hamilton was catching him quickly. However, his efforts couldn’t fetch him a win on-track. Russell crossed the line first just 0.526 ahead.
Mclaren on the podium as Piastri scores a P2
Oscar Piastri came home in P2 , and as the better of the two Mclaren drivers. Throughout the weekend, Mclaren were looking quick as Piastri scored P2 in all the Practice sessions and Lando Norris topped FP2.
At the starting grid, Norris and Piastri lined up in P4 and P5 respectively. At the start, Norris made a mistake as he dipped a wheel in gravel at T-1 hairpin which meant he dropped to P7. From then on his race was highly compromised as he couldn’t get past Max Verstappen sitting in P5, who himself was on a comeback drive from 11th. Ultimately, Norris crossed the line in P6, which later got upgraded to P5 as Russell was penalised.
The case of Piastri was relatively more positive than Norris. He started the race behind Norris, but got the better start of the two. From then on, he continued his forward trajectory as he passed Leclerc and Perez for positions. His pace clearly shone when he found a free track and clean air ahead of him.
However, as he came for his second stop he commited a mistake as he overshot his pitbox. This meant he had a slow stop of 4.4 seconds.
Had this mishap not happened, Piastri could’ve challenged Mercedes, as exclaimed by himself and Andreas Stella.
Still Piastri was smooth with his moves as he passed Leclerc at lap 36, hence moving into P3.
However, this would be as far as he would go on track. He crossed the line in P3, 1.1 seconds off the leader. He later got upgraded to a P2.
Ferrari: Leclerc unsatisfied as Sainz’ future finally confirmed
The Belgian GP awarded Leclerc with a P3 trophy, but he was left unsatisfied. Leclerc had inherited pole position off Max Verstappen, with Dutchman having a 10-place penalty.
At the start, Charles got a pretty good start and shot into the distance. However his lead was short lived as a fast charging Lewis Hamiton passed him on the Kemmel Straight.
Leclerc was the only driver starting on the Hard tyres. He came in the pits for his first pit stop at Lap 12, a move he later said could’ve been delayed. In the later stages of the race, Piastri passed him for P3 but in the end he managed to keep Verstappen behind in P5.
In a race where Russell managed to make a one-stop strategy work, it was a case of ‘what could’ve been’ for Leclerc.
Sainz didn’t have as much of an glamorous points haul as Leclerc. After starting from P7, he even led the race at some points during the race.
However, following the same 2-stop strategy as others, he soon was shuffled back. From what place he was in, risking a one-stop was still possible. This thought was resonated by the Spaniard in the post-race interviews. He eventually came across the chequered flag in P6.
An off-track news that surfaced after the race weekend was the transfer of Carlos Sainz to Williams Racing for 2025 and beyond.
Williams have now managed to secure two top class drivers in the form of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. Whether they are able to provide them good enough cars will be the final piece of puzzle in the Williams resurgence.
A subpar Belgian GP as per Redbull standards
Right from the start of the Belgian weekend, Redbull were going to be the center of attraction. Max Verstappen was set to take a 10-place grid penalty as he had taken more engine components than allowed. Sergio Perez was another driver who was in for a tough weekend as the decision on his seat was imminent after this race.
After Saturday’s Qualifying, Redbull were looking strong as both drivers gave strong performances. Max took P1 while Perez posted a time good for a P3. Verstappen penalty meant he would be starting from 11th while Checo moved up to P2.
Race
At the Start, Perez had a slower start than Hamilton and hence he conceded his position to the Briton. From then on, he was battling with Piastri for P3. After the first round of pitstops, Piastri was looking quick on the track as he passed Russell and Perez one by one. It was still not over for the mexican as Russell too overtook him for 4th place. Perez made an early second stop for Hard tyres after this.
Perez drove in P7 for majority of the race after his visit to the pits, until the last few laps, when Sainz overtook him. He eventually finished in 8th position. After starting in 2nd position, Perez would not be happy with a P8.
On the other side of the garage, Max Verstappen was being looked as a potential race winner. With his antiques of winning from lowly positions on the grid, we fans were hopeful of some racing action. As the race started, Max Verstappen was already making moves. By lap 2, he was in P8, catching Norris. As confirmed by the drivers later, track position was very important in this race. Sainz sitting in 6th position was slowing down both Norris and Verstappen. The Dutchman, unable to pass, came into the pits at Lap 10. He put on hard tyres and rejoined the track in P14.
As more and more drivers pitted, the order reshuffled. Verstappen was now in P7, stuck behind Russell. Interestingly, Russell was getting DRS from Perez ahead of him.
Soon Russell passed Perez, who later pitted. Further racing action for Verstappen came in the form a fast charging Norris. However, the Mclaren driver made a mistake on the bus-stop chicane and the gap opened up.
In the final stages of the race, a fight for 4th position took place between Leclerc, Verstappen and Norris. However, this would be the order in which the trio finished. Verstappen eventually got upraded to P4.
What’s Next?
The Belgian GP was the last race before the summer break of the F1 calendar. Teams like Mercedes will be going into their vacations with a positive mindset, while teams like Redbull have some homework to do. We also expect many driver and team personnel announcements throughout the summer break. With how the season has turned on it’s head, it would be impossible to predict how the rest of 2024 unfolds.
Howsoever it changes, follow Desi Racing Co. to keep yourself up to date with Motorsport news and much more.
The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix that took place on June 1 2025, wrapped up the second triple header of the 75th edition of Formula 1. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya held the last Spanish Grand Prix, as the event is set to relocate to Madrid from 2026.
As two of the three triple headers of this season end, with the McLaren duo separated by 10 points and Max Verstappen breathing down their necks, let’s review how each of the 3-week long racing action has affected the championship battle.
Max, Lando and Oscar [Left to Right] at the Japanese GP 2025
Japan-Bahrain-Saudi Arabia
The opening triple header of the season delivered some great racing action. Max Verstappen proved to the world that he is never out of the championship fight, with his dominant pole-to-victory performance, despite McLaren having the car advantage. The Flying Dutchman marked his 4th consecutive win at Suzuka while the Papaya duo completed the podium. Hadjar gained his first points in Formula 1 in P8.
Oscar Piastri stood at the top step of the podium at Bahrain for his 50th Formula 1 race, delivering McLaren’s first ever win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The young Australian started at pole and led every lap, showcasing his talent, while his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris, finished P3 despite his 5-second penalty for a false start. Multiple technical failures and a pit signal fault resulted in Max finishing P6, costing him several championship points. The Dutch wasn’t the only one suffering from technical issues, as George Russell’s Mercedes faced multiple troubles, despite which he finished P2 fending off Norris.
Another weekend, another win for Piastri. This one is even more special as it led to him becoming the first Australian to lead the championship since Mark Webber, his manager, in 2010. Even though Verstappen received a 5-second penalty during the race, he finished P2. Ferrari seemed to finally get back into their rhythm as Charles Leclerc garnered the Italian team’s first podium of the year with a solid P3. Williams’ double points finish marked their surge among the midfield, pushing them up to 5th in the championship.
The triple header ended with Oscar Piastri leading the championship, 7 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who himself was just 5 points ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen. With the top 5 separated by only 30 points, the fight for the championship was on.
Imola-Monaco-Spain
The second and the most recent triple header had all three title contenders win each race. Max Verstappen overtook pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the first lap to secure his 4th win here, while Lando and Oscar completed the podium. Franco Colapinto, who replaced rookie Jack Doohan from this race onwards, started and finished at P16, delivering a lukewarm debut performance.
At Monaco, Lando Norris secured his first win at the Principality, fending off homeboy Charles Leclerc in P2. Oscar stayed in P3, as most of the grid finished exactly where they qualified, apart from Fernando Alonso, claiming to be “the unluckiest driver”, who retired from P6 due to an engine failure.
Lando after his win at the Monaco GP (Credits: Formula 1)
The latest race, the Spanish Grand Prix, delivered equal parts of racing and drama. All was well till lap 60 when the safety car came out. RedBull pitted Max for a fourth time and sent him out with brand new hard tires, which, due to not warming up properly for the restart, led him to lose a position to Leclerc. Another incident with Russell resulted in Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase requesting him to let the Briton through. Initially refusing, on lap 64, Max appeared to let Russell go past him, but swerved into him on turn 5, causing a collision.
This unnecessary action and RedBull pit wall’s questionable decisions resulted in Verstappen being handed a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, which critically impacted his championship battle. Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, overtook 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari on the penultimate lap, securing a P5 finish. Fernando Alonso also ended his pointless run, garnering 2 points at his home grand prix. The McLaren duo clinched a 1-2 finish, avoiding all the drama behind them.
The second triple header ends with Ferrari shooting up two places to reach P2 in the Constructors’ Championship Standings, although McLaren leads with a comfortable 197 points.
The Drivers’ Championship is very close, with Norris only 10 points behind the leader Piastri. Max, however, due to his 10-second penalty, lags by 49 points, staying at P3.
The next and final triple header consists of the last three races of this season: Las Vegas-Qatar-Abu Dhabi. As the championship stands, it’s fair to speculate that the battle could go on till the final triple header. As we lie in wait till the next race weekend in Canada, let’s enjoy the on and off-track drama unfolding in front of our eyes.
Will Oscar Piastri be the first Australian World Champion since Alan Jones in 1980, or will teammate Lando Norris be successful in retaking the lead of the championship? Never count Max Verstappen out, as he also has the chance to defend his title. Any mid-season upgrades could bring George Russell or Charles Leclerc to the fight as well. The prestigious 75th anniversary of Formula 1 is definitely providing some great battles, which unfortunately can only be won by one.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
The anticipation is building as the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix approaches, bringing Formula 1 back to the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Set against the backdrop of the St. Lawrence River, this high-speed, high-stakes race is a mid-season favourite known for dramatic overtakes, unpredictable weather, and passionate fans. With championship battles heating up and teams pushing the limits of performance, the 2025 edition promises another thrilling chapter in Canada’s rich motorsport history. Here’s a look at what to expect as the engines roar back to life in one of F1’s most beloved venues.
About The Track
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve offers a technically demanding layout that balances high-speed sections with heavy braking zones. Turns 1 and 2 require precise throttle control and set the tone for the lap.
The Turn 10 hairpin is a critical overtaking point, featuring one of the heaviest braking zones on the calendar and leading onto a 1.2 km straight where DRS can be deployed. This back straight leads to the final chicane (Turns 13 and 14), where late braking offers a chance to pass, though drivers must be cautious of the infamous “Wall of Champions” on exit. A second DRS zone along the main straight aids slipstreaming into Turn 1, making the circuit a prime venue for intense and strategic battles on track and in the pit lane.
Pirelli’s Specifications
For the #CanadianGP, the softest trio of compounds will feature on track. That means that the C6 will be in use, alongside its closest relatives, the C5 as Medium and the C4 as Hard. Read more here 👉https://t.co/DlTqNkvtUn #F1 pic.twitter.com/ZWjgybDVjW
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 9, 2025
Pirelli has selected the softest compounds on the spectrum, meaning the C6 (soft), C5 (medium), and C4 (hard) compound tires will be in use throughout the weekend.
Track Evolution being on a 5/5 rating denotes that times will tumble on Saturday during the Qualifying session, so drivers will need to be consistent on every lap.
Stories This Weekend
Piastri With The Momentum
Oscar Piastri led a controversial Spanish Grand Prix from start to finish, keeping his distance from his rivals. He leads the Drivers Championship by 10 points over his teammate, a battle that will continue to run till the end of the season. The Aussie is very much in contention for his first-ever title, so he will need any and every win he can get. That’s what he’s going to be gunning for in Montreal.
European triple ✅
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 9, 2025
Focused on Canada 👊#McLaren | #CanadianGP 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ZQg11idjPa
Max Nears A Ban
Max Verstappen is now just 1 penalty point away from a Race Ban, which presents an opportunity for Arvid Lindbald to potentially make his F1 debut for VCARB, and Isack Hadjar a seat in the senior Red Bull team.
Notably, Isack Hadjar has scored more points than Max Verstappen has in the last 2 races.
Stroll At Home
Lance Stroll withdrew from the Spanish Grand Prix following a concern about his wrist injury from 2023. He is now preparing to hit the ground running and score some points at his home race.
A taste of home.@lance_stroll brought the team together last night at one of his favourite Montreal spots, Lester’s Deli. 💚 pic.twitter.com/cZL3yzgiH3
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) June 12, 2025
200 Races For Haas
The American Team achieves a landmark 200 race appearances. They have prepared special race suits for this occasion and, of course, a special livery. With a race so close to home, the pair of Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon will be gunning for the top 10.
Suited up like it’s 2016 👌
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) June 12, 2025
Celebrating 200 races with full throwback race suits 🤩#HaasF1 #F1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/zvaHjsGm3i
2026 Calendar Reveal
See you next year 🔥🇦🇺 https://t.co/bwVogdR7pj
— Cadillac Formula 1 Team (@Cadillac_F1) June 10, 2025
Weekend Schedule
📅 | Here is the Weekend Schedule for Formula 1's Canadian GP and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) June 11, 2025
Note: All timings mentioned are in 🇮🇳 Indian Standard Time.#f1 #Formula1 #CanadianGP #WEC #LeMans24h pic.twitter.com/Hg6Es0G2du
Weather Forecast
Friday: 18°C, Wind 6 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 9 km/h, 2% chance of rain.
Conditions seem to be stable, allowing for consistent data throughout practice sessions and the race.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Piastri For The Win, McLaren Double Podium, Max Receives 3 Penalty Points: 2025 Spanish GP Review
Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass in Barcelona, capping off a rollercoaster triple-header with a dominant win at the Spanish Grand Prix. The weekend was filled with uncertainty following the FIA’s new Technical Directive clamping down on flexi-wings, forcing every team except McLaren to scramble with upgrades. In the end, it was Piastri who capitalised on the chaos.
Piastri was in a league of his own all weekend, topping two of three practice sessions, grabbing pole with the largest margin of the season, and controlling the race from lights to flag. Calm, calculated, and clinical—this was a coming-of-age drive from the Aussie, who now leads the World Drivers’ Championship by 10 points.
Teammate Lando Norris made it a McLaren front row lockout, though he briefly lost P2 to Max Verstappen at the start. A smooth move down the inside of Turn 1 reclaimed the spot, and Norris brought the car home for a strong 1-2 finish, underlining McLaren’s dominance.
Embed from Getty Images
Max Verstappen Nears A Race Ban
Max Verstappen’s weekend was turbulent. He qualified P3 and had a lightning start to slot into P2, but that was as good as it got. Red Bull’s risky 3-stop strategy was undone by a late Safety Car, forcing Max onto hard tyres no one else dared to use.
A flurry of battles followed, and contact with George Russell. The stewards slapped Verstappen with a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, leaving him just one point away from a race ban. The reigning champ now walks a razor’s edge heading into Montreal.
Leclerc Lands A Top 3
Charles Leclerc fought his way from a P7 start to finish third, claiming his first-ever Spanish GP podium. A strong opening lap and a razor-sharp Safety Car restart helped him leapfrog Verstappen.
His teammate Lewis Hamilton had a contrasting story. After qualifying P5, he was overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg late in the race and finished P6. Post-race, a dejected Hamilton said there were “no positives” to take from the weekend.
The first podium in Spain for @Charles_Leclerc! 🤩🥉#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/oiEtNgOuK2
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Merc’s Bittersweet Weekend
George Russell had a quietly strong weekend, qualifying P4 and securing P4 in the race, surviving the Verstappen clash and banking valuable points. Rookie Kimi Antonelli wasn’t as lucky. An engine failure forced his retirement, marking the first time in triple-header history that a Mercedes driver failed to score points.
Sauber In The Top 5
Sauber shocked the paddock. Nico Hülkenberg, starting P15, carved his way through the field with some smart overtakes and Safety Car timing to finish P5, his best result since 2019. Teammate Bortoleto also impressed, showing glimpses of pace before fading late.
Two Sides Of The Home Race
For Spanish fans, it was a weekend of extremes. Carlos Sainz suffered a Q1 exit and could only recover to P14, yet another home race disappointment for Williams. Albon also had a disappointing weekend, contact when being overtaken resulted in front wing damage, forcing him to retire.
Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, gave the crowd something to cheer about. With daring late-race moves, he scored his first points of the season, offering a glimmer of hope for Aston Martin. Lance Stroll, still managing a wrist issue from 2023, withdrew before lights out, casting doubt on his home GP appearance in Canada.
Race Results
After all that drama… let's take a look at our top 🔟 in Spain! 🇪🇸⬇️#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/Ces37N1VtF
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Standings
How do things now stand… 🤔
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Here are the all-important drivers' standings to tell us! 📊#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/mhrV4bU2zu
Ferrari jump up to P2 in the standings!.. 📈
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
…And there's several other movements throughout the field 👀#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/vIzJ5asbvm
Next Race Weekend In Montreal
Oscar Piastri now leads the WDC by 10 points over his teammate, and both McLarens will be looking to extend their lead at the top
Max will need to keep his nose clean, as with just 1 more penalty point, he will be banned for a race.
Home Hero Lance Stroll is still doubtful to appear at his home race, which means one of Aston Martin’s reserves may get an opportunity to prove themselves.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
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