Max Verstappen secured a hard-fought victory in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint race, marking Red Bull’s first triumph since Christian Horner’s departure as team principal. Verstappen overtook pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the opening lap using superior straight-line speed and skillfully managed his car’s lower cornering performance to stay ahead. Although Piastri couldn’t reclaim the lead, he extended his championship advantage over McLaren teammate Lando Norris by one point, with Norris finishing third after briefly losing position to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Despite Red Bull’s win, McLaren remains the team to beat in qualifying and Sunday’s main race, thanks to their superior overall pace. This race was especially symbolic for Red Bull, as it was their first without Horner after over two decades at the helm. Laurent Mekies, Horner’s replacement, was quick to commend Verstappen’s efforts over the team radio. The final Sprint top eight included strong performances from Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz, with Haas and Williams both making notable gains, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton struggled and failed to score points.
Verstappen acknowledged the tactical battle required to maintain his lead, describing the race as a delicate balance of managing DRS zones and battery deployment. The Dutchman admitted that the start was crucial, as it provided his best opportunity to pass the McLarens. With less grip in corners due to a low-downforce setup, Verstappen had to defend carefully throughout the race, allowing only a minor mistake during lap 11 that nearly gave Piastri a chance to strike.
The result was a morale booster for Red Bull, though it had little impact on the championship standings. Verstappen only closed the gap to Piastri by one point and remains far behind in the title race. Still, the team’s composure and execution under new leadership suggest a smooth transition into the post-Horner era. Mekies has not yet made major changes but has started building trust with the team, and Verstappen praised his early enthusiasm and professionalism, hinting at a strong partnership ahead.
The race also saw a mix of experienced drivers and emerging talents fighting for points, with notable results from Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Russell were stuck outside the top 10 due to poor qualifying performances, finishing 15th and 12th respectively. As the weekend continues with full qualifying and the main Grand Prix, attention will turn to whether McLaren can convert their pace into a win, and whether rain, often unpredictable at Spa, might once again play a major role in deciding the outcome.
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