Max Verstappen held off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to claim a Belgian Grand Prix Sprint victory for Red Bull in the team’s first race since Christian Horner’s sacking.
The reigning world champion took advantage of his superior straight-line speed to pass Piastri up the Kemmel Straight on the opening lap, before expertly managing the inferior cornering ability of his lower-downforce car to hold off the Australian.
Piastri was still able to extend his world championship lead over team-mate Lando Norris by one point – to nine points – as the Brit recovered to his starting position of third having also been passed on the opening lap, by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Red Bull were racing for the first time in the team’s history without Horner at the helm, following his sacking following the British Grand Prix earlier in July after more than 20 years at the helm.
The victory represents a perfect start for Horner’s replacement Laurent Mekies, who congratulated Verstappen over team radio after the Dutchman took the chequered flag.
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Lando Norris moves into P3 for the Belgian GP Sprint, overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Mekies said: “Well done Max. Very, very impressive defence, very well controlled. You didn’t leave anything on the table there.”
Leclerc took fourth as positions third to seventh finished in starting order, with the Haas sealing a fine result as Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman claimed fifth and seventh, respectively.
Carlos Sainz produced one of his best performances yet for Williams by taking sixth, while Isack Hadjar claimed the final point for Racing Bulls in eighth.
George Russell finished 12th and Lewis Hamilton 15th, as the British duo were powerless to recover from poor qualifying performances that left them starting towards the back of the grid.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Belgian GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the Belgian Grand Prix
Saturday July 26
12.40pm: F2 Sprint
2pm: Belgian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Belgian GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday July 27
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Belgian GP build-up*
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered flag: Belgian GP reaction*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 Formula 1 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix as the Sprint format returns, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
