Max Verstappen takes commanding Sprint victory at Spa-Francorchamps from Piastri
Max Verstappen pulls off a dominant sprint race win at the Belgian GP in an electrifying start to the Spa weekend. The reigning world champion surged past pole‑sitter Oscar Piastri on lap 1, then held off relentless pressure from McLaren’s young star and teammate Lando Norris over the full 15‑lap dash.
Piastri initially enjoyed a strong start from pole in the Sprint
In doing so, Verstappen secured Red Bull’s first race win since Christian Horner’s dismissal—making team principal Laurent Mekies’ first victory in charge especially meaningful..
Sprint pole pays off for Piastri
Oscar Piastri claimed a commanding Sprint qualifying pole, almost half a second faster than Verstappen, with Lando Norris third. Spa‑Francorchamps remains Piastri’s favourite circuit, and his pole lap of 1m40.510s showcased McLaren’s single‑lap pace. Despite the advantage, Piastri’s pole proved deceptive at Spa, where the slipstream effect on the Kemmel Straight is often a decisive factor.
Lap 1 overtake sets the tone
At lights‑out, Verstappen leapt into action. Using a perfectly timed slipstream, he overtook Piastri down the Kemmel Straight into Les Combes on the first lap. That move delivered the lead and control over a tightly fought sprint — just seconds after the start. Behind him, McLaren’s Norris fell further back initially but recovered to finish third after passing Leclerc.
Tire‑less cat‑and‑mouse pacing
From there, it was a game of golf trolley‑quiet, lap‑after‑lap defensive brilliance. Verstappen himself described driving what felt like “15 qualifying laps”, ignoring tire conservation in favour of all‑out pace to deny Piastri any realistic passing chance. With DRS, battery boost and straight‑line speed, he never let the gap exceed 0.753 seconds.
Piastri harried him tenaciously, crawling within DRS range on several laps. But through twisty sections and braking zones, Verstappen held firm. A minor lock‑up at the final corner almost cost him, but the lead held to the chequered flag.
Podium finishers and wider order
Lando Norris secured third place after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc early in the sprint. Leclerc ultimately finished fourth, followed by Esteban Ocon (Haas), Carlos Sainz (Williams), Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar rounding out the top eight.
Pierre Gasly retired after suffering hydraulic failure aboard his Alpine, and Mercedes endured another difficult sprint, with Hamilton finishing P15 and Russell P12—both outside point‑scoring positions.
Context: a new era at Red Bull
This sprint win marked Red Bull’s first competitive victory since the departure of long‑time team boss Christian Horner, Laurent Mekies’ first as team principal. Verstappen’s comment over the radio was telling: “Nice! Very well done, great job with the gaps and the battery.” A calm seal on a powerful performance.
The team had introduced upgrades this weekend—especially aero enhancements and a low‑downforce setup—to exploit Spa’s long straights. The strategy paid off, making up for qualifying shortcomings.
What does it mean for the championship
Piastri’s second place bumped his championship lead up by one point over Norris—now nine points separating him from his McLaren teammate. While Red Bull didn’t score points on the podium, Verstappen’s win sends a warning to championship rivals that they remain formidable, even amid internal transitions.
Eye on the main Grand Prix: rain and strategy ahead
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, rain is forecast, which could reshape strategies dramatically. Spa’s new resurfacing and softer compounds (C1, C3, C4) mean tyre graining is less of a concern than last year—opening the door for varied approaches depending on setup.
McLaren may adapt better to wet conditions—historically stronger at tyre management—while Red Bull’s upgrades will be stress-tested across tyre allocation options. If forecasts hold, teams may have to sacrifice top speed setups in favour of higher downforce balance for grip under changing weather. The TimesThe Race
Final lap thrills and biggest storylines
- Verstappen’s audacious lap‑1 move was the turning point.
- Piastri’s frustration shows that even stellar qualifying can’t guarantee victory at Spa. Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website
- Red Bull’s era transition continues under Mekies with immediate success.
- Spa strategy may turn Sunday into a tactical chess match across teams and conditions.
Conclusion
Max Verstappen delivered a flawless sprint performance at Spa‑Francorchamps to win the Belgian Grand Prix sprint, powering Red Bull into its first victory under new leadership. By passing Piastri on lap 1 and defending ferociously across 15 “qualifying laps,” he neutralised one of the sport’s rising stars and set the tone for a compelling weekend. As rain looms for the Grand Prix, teams must balance straight‑line upgrades with wet‑weather setup demands. Championship leader Piastri must regroup fast if he’s to keep his advantage intact.
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