Charles Leclerc delivered a fierce and calculated performance in Spa to finish third in the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, holding off a relentless Max Verstappen in a tense final stint to secure his fifth podium of the season for Scuderia Ferrari.
On a soaked Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the Monegasque driver kept a cool head as chaos unfolded early on, navigating a delayed and disrupted race that finally got underway after an 80-minute stoppage.
Leclerc praises team effort after intense podium finish
All cars began on intermediate tyres due to heavy rain, but a red flag was quickly thrown during the formation lap due to near-zero visibility. After several recognition laps behind the Safety Car, racing began properly on lap 5. The decisive moment came shortly after the restart, when early calls to switch to slicks became crucial. Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc both pitted early—on laps 11 and 12 respectively—for medium tyres, a move that would shape the outcome of their races. Leclerc remained composed throughout, managing tyre wear and resisting intense pressure from Verstappen to finish third behind the two McLarens.
“I’m pleased with the steps forward we are making and I think we should all be proud because I know how much work went into our upgrades from the whole team back home in Maranello,” said Leclerc. “It definitely helped us to get the podium and to keep Max behind today, which was not easy because he was very close until the very end of the race. Once we were on slicks, I knew I just had to keep my head down and push for P3 to be ours, and it is, so I’m very happy we brought it home.”
McLaren dominate at the front as Ferrari scores strong points
Out front, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took a commanding win, overtaking team-mate and polesitter Lando Norris on the Kemmel Straight on lap 5 before building a gap that he managed to the finish. Despite some late-race pressure and tyre degradation, Piastri held on to win by 3.4 seconds, extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship by 16 points. Norris settled for second, while Leclerc rounded out the podium, finishing 20 seconds behind the leader.
Verstappen, unable to pass the Ferrari despite several close attempts, finished fourth, with Mercedes’ George Russell completing the top five. Williams’ Alex Albon impressed in sixth, having started fifth and resisted Hamilton’s charge in the final laps. Hamilton, starting from the pit lane after an engine change, gained 11 positions to finish seventh.
Piastri takes control as F1 heads to Budapest
With his victory, Oscar Piastri now leads the championship and carries momentum into next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. McLaren’s one-two underlined their title credentials, while Ferrari’s upgrades proved encouraging as they continue to chase both Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ standings.
As for Leclerc, his third place at Spa marked his 48th career podium and further proof that when conditions are tough, the Monégasque can be counted on to deliver.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre