Spraygate, Respect, and Racing Woes: The Under-the-Radar Highlights from t… read more
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps delivered another chapter in the Formula 1 2025 season, but beyond the headline-grabbing win for Oscar Piastri and his impressive tyre management, a number of subtle, offbeat, and emotional storylines unfolded that deserve a closer look. From rookie struggles and team collapses to touching tributes and old-school champagne celebrations, here are the moments you might have missed from the iconic race weekend in Belgium.
Spraygate: The Return of the Champagne Drenching
While the weather at Spa is notoriously unpredictable—often resulting in heavy downpours, delayed starts, and that recurring debate about the effectiveness of wet tyres—it was the good kind of spray that took centre stage this time. After a few races with surprisingly subdued podium celebrations, the Belgian Grand Prix gave fans a proper champagne-soaked moment. The victorious trio didn’t hold back, dousing one another in bubbly in a nostalgic throwback to Formula 1’s rowdier, celebratory traditions. Given the sport’s frequent tension over visibility and safety during actual rain-induced spray, this kind of “spraygate” was a welcome, joy-filled exception.
Bearman’s Groundhog Day: Four Times Unlucky
Spare a thought for Ollie Bearman. The rookie Haas driver has now finished in the dreaded 11th place—just outside of the points-paying positions—for four consecutive races. It’s a position no one wants to make a habit of, especially not someone still trying to solidify their place in Formula 1. For mid-table teams like Haas, every point is precious, and to miss out by a whisker, again and again, must feel like a cruel joke. Sky Sports commentator David Croft noted that Bearman tied a record for most finishes in the same position consecutively—though not counting wins, of course. In the high-stakes world of F1, that statistic feels less like a milestone and more like a haunting pattern.
Aston Martin’s Astonishing Fall-Off
If anyone had predicted at the start of the season that Aston Martin would be scraping the bottom of the points standings mid-season, they might have been laughed out of the paddock. But here we are. Fernando Alonso finished a dismal 17th, while Lance Stroll only managed 14th, leaving the team with zero points from the Belgian weekend. What’s more alarming is that they now sit just one point ahead of Haas in the Constructors’ Championship. Had Bearman managed to push into the top ten in just a couple of his near-miss races, Aston Martin could very well be languishing in ninth place. It’s a grim reality for a team supposedly building towards a competitive 2026 package with legendary designer Adrian Newey on board. Whatever the long-term plan, the short-term optics aren’t great.
Rookie Etiquette: Kimi Antonelli Holds the Umbrella
Among the chaos and competition, a quietly respectful gesture between generations caught the attention of keen-eyed fans. As veteran Lewis Hamilton, now donning Ferrari red, prepped for the race, it was none other than Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli seen holding an umbrella over the seven-time world champion. While it might seem like a small thing, in a sport often dominated by ego and self-focus, the image of a rising star showing such deference to one of F1’s greats was refreshingly wholesome. The two share a past through Mercedes, and this moment underscored the mutual respect still present in the ever-evolving driver landscape.
A Tribute That Transcends Time: Remembering Anthoine Hubert
On a more solemn note, Spa will forever be linked with the tragic death of French driver Anthoine Hubert, who lost his life during a Formula 2 race at the circuit in 2019. Six years later, the paddock still remembers. Sunday’s race saw Hubert’s mother, Nathalie, watching on from Alpine’s garage alongside Pierre Gasly’s mother, Pascale—a touching sight given the deep friendship between Gasly and Hubert. Gasly once again paid tribute to his fallen friend by completing his traditional “Run for Anthoine” and laying flowers at the crash site. In a sport where weeks often blur into one another, it was a powerful reminder of the human cost behind the speed and spectacle.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Race
While Oscar Piastri’s victory and Lando Norris’s continued title pursuit may dominate the statistical round-up of the Belgian Grand Prix, the soul of the race lay in its side stories. It was a weekend that highlighted both the harsh realities of competition and the softer, more emotional undercurrents of the sport. From comical records and rookie misfortunes to signs of future greatness and heartfelt remembrance, Spa once again proved why it remains one of Formula 1’s most beloved and dramatic stages—even if its place on the calendar is increasingly under scrutiny. Whether through spray, sorrow, or sheer sporting grit, Belgium always finds a way to deliver something memorable.
