Nico Rosberg says Oscar Piastri is certain he’ll win the F1 title after what he saw at Belgian Grand Prix

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Oscar Piastri lost out to Max Verstappen in the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday. But he may be more focused on beating McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Piastri started on pole after thumping his rivals on Friday evening, but he lost out to Verstappen on the first lap. The Australian was braced for this possibility given that Red Bull are once again prioritising top speed with their set-up.

He hunted Verstappen throughout the race, but the reigning champion had the grunt he needed to see off the threat into Les Combes. In fact, he only needed to take a defensive line on one occasion over the 15 laps.

Piastri didn’t attempt any reckless moves, settling for second and stretching his lead over Norris, just behind in third, by another point. He leads his teammate 5-1 in Sprint sessions this year.

Nico Rosberg says Oscar Piastri is exuding total confidence in Lando Norris title fight

While some of his Red Bull colleagues retain an ounce of hope, Verstappen himself has ruled out a 2025 title challenge. He entered the Belgian Grand Prix weekend nearly 70 points adrift.

2016 world champion Nico Rosberg is very impressed by Piastri’s ‘body language’. He senses that the third-year driver is 100% confident that he will win the title.

Piastri has been widely praised for his mentality, which is said to be the foundation for his title charge. Rosberg remains the last driver not named Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton to lift the trophy.

• READ MORE: Martin Brundle saw Max Verstappen do something ‘incredible’ to beat Oscar Piastri in the Belgian GP Sprint

He said: “Just when Oscar was walking down then with Craig [Slater, Sky Sports presenter], his body language for me is like, ‘I’m going to be the 2025 world champion’.

“It’s very impressive, his attitude, body language, confidence.”

Piastri was on course to win the British GP last time out but received a 10-second penalty for a safety car infringement. He was notably furious about the verdict.

Is Oscar Piastri the F1 champion that fans really want?

David Coulthard says both McLaren drivers will deserve the title this year. Piastri has won five of the first 12 races, while Norris has won four.

Alex Albon thinks McLaren can keep a lid on the tension between the two in the second half of the season. They crashed in Canada, but Norris immediately took responsibility.

Dutch pundit Tom Coronel says Piastri isn’t necessarily the champion ‘we’d like to see’ because he doesn’t have a ‘flamboyant’ demeanour. But equally, he’s far from a divisive figure.

Indeed, it’s telling that there was no palpable hostility towards the 24-year-old at Silverstone, even though he stood in the way of the home hero. McLaren haven’t won the drivers’ title since 2008, when Hamilton triumphed for the first time.