Both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had disappointing runs following Friday's qualifying that left them trailing. Piastri navigated the initial corners flawlessly, fending off Verstappen at La Source and establishing a substantial lead as the cars crested over Raidillon.

The most famous example of this in 2024 came during Daniel Ricciardo 's final F1 race, when the Australian finished last but claimed the fastest lap on the final lap of the Singapore GP, taking the extra point away from Lando Norris and helping Max Verstappen's title bid.