Verstappen edges Piastri in thrilling Belgian GP sprint race
Max Verstappen Secures Sprint Race Victory at Belgian Grand Prix
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Max Verstappen ushered in Red Bull’s post-Christian Horner era in style with a commanding sprint race victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion overtook McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the opening lap before fending off persistent pressure from both Piastri and his teammate, Lando Norris, to claim the win.
For Red Bull, this marked not only a critical triumph but also a symbolic one, as it was the team’s first victory of any kind since their 2005 debut without the guidance of long-time leader Horner, who was replaced by Laurent Mekies just two weeks ago.
Sprint Race Overview
The sprint race format—introduced to Formula One in 2021—is a condensed version of Sunday’s Grand Prix and awards points to the top eight finishers. Verstappen accrued eight points for his victory, but McLaren limited the damage, with Piastri earning seven points and Norris securing six. The results extended Piastri’s slim lead over Norris in the standings to nine points, while Verstappen remains 68 points adrift in the championship chase.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's new team boss, emphasized on Friday that his priority is giving Verstappen a competitive car, aiming to quash speculation about the driver leaving before his contract expires in 2028. Saturday's victory offers a much-needed morale boost for Verstappen and the team after a turbulent few weeks.
“The goal is clear—to keep Max happy and keep moving forward as a team,” Mekies remarked earlier this weekend.
The win at Spa will undoubtedly reinforce Red Bull's belief in their trajectory under their new leadership.
A Close Battle at the Top
The 15-lap sprint became a closely fought affair at the top, with Verstappen, Piastri, and Norris forming a class of their own. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc trailed the leading trio, finishing over seven seconds behind Verstappen, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton could only manage a disappointing 15th following his Q1 spin on Friday.
Notable performances came from Haas duo Esteban Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman, finishing fifth and seventh respectively, sandwiching Williams driver Carlos Sainz in sixth. Racing Bulls rookie Isak Hadjar continued to shine, clinching eighth place and another point for his team. Meanwhile, Mercedes endured a fruitless race, with George Russell coming in 12th and Andrea Kimi Antonelli languishing in 17th.
How Verstappen Took the Lead
The race began with Piastri seizing the initial advantage, emerging ahead of Verstappen through the tight La Source hairpin. The lead, however, was short-lived. As the McLaren driver powered through the iconic Eau Rouge sequence and onto the long Kemmel Straight, Verstappen deployed the slipstream to perfection, breezing past Piastri before the Les Combes chicane.
Though Piastri stayed within striking distance, even taking advantage of DRS on the Kemmel Straight several times, he lacked the pace to retake the top spot. Verstappen managed the race expertly from the front, showcasing the blend of skill, strategy, and raw speed that has made him a generational talent.
What’s Next for Red Bull and McLaren
While Verstappen's performance suggests Red Bull may have found an edge over McLaren, Sunday’s longer Grand Prix is likely to add fresh variables, including tire strategies and potential weather changes. With McLaren’s strong qualifying pace and Piastri’s continued rise as a formidable competitor, the main event is poised to be a gripping contest.
For Red Bull and Mekies, Saturday’s victory offers hope that their evolving leadership can reclaim the mantle of consistent dominance. Victory on Sunday, however, would solidify their intent to challenge McLaren’s newfound supremacy.
Stay tuned for more updates from Spa-Francorchamps as the Belgian Grand Prix weekend unfolds.
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