Martin Brundle writes off Max Verstappen as Oscar Piastri wins Belgian Grand Prix

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 27/07/2025

- 17:27

The Sky Sports pundit has reacted to Sunday's race

Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen's hopes of F1 title glory are over for this year after the Dutchman finished fourth in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri won the event at Spa, with the Australian finishing ahead of both Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc to extend his lead at the top of the standings.


It was a disappointing day for Verstappen, who is now 81 points adrift of Piastri.

And Brundle, speaking on Sky Sports, believes it's now a battle between Piastri and Norris for this year's championship.

Max Verstappen Belgian Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen could only finish fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix

He said: “He’s now 81 points ahead of Max Verstappen. That’s over three race wins ahead with 11 to go.

“So even if there’s a bit of a scrap or they end up running into each other, I think this race confirms it’s Piastri vs Norris for the world championship.”

The former McLaren driver then added: "Without that penalty in Silverstone, he had a great job of winning the British Grand Prix.

"Also, importantly, he's 81 points ahead of Max Verstappen. That's over three race wins ahead with 11 rounds to go.

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Martin Brundle

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Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen's hopes of F1 title glory are over for this year after the Dutchman finished fourth in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix

"Even if there's a bit of a scrap or they end up running into each other, this race confirms it's Piastri vs Norris for the World Championship."

Piastri and Norris have also reacted to the event.

The Australian, who has been in spectacular form all season, said: "I knew Lap one would be my best chance of winning the race.

"I got a good exit out of Turn one, lifted as little as I dared out of Eau Rouge.

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"The rest of the race we managed really well. I struggled at the end. Maybe the mediums were not the best for the last five or six laps. We had it mostly under control.

"I was pretty disappointed with myself yesterday but turns out starting P2 was not as bad as I thought."

On his early overtake on Norris, he said: "I was disappointed it was a rolling start because I thought it would take away some opportunity.

"I got a good exit out of Turn one, was able to stay close and when I was that close, I knew I was going to lift just a bit less than Lando did and keep it on the track.

"A bit lively up over the hill, but managed to make it stick and the tow helped me out."

As for Norris, the Briton showed class by congratulating Piastri on his triumph.

"Oscar just did a good job (at the start)," he said.

"Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run.

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Oscar Piastri

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Oscar Piastri won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday with Lando Norris second and Charles Leclerc third

"So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it.

"Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today."