Max Verstappen has conquered the sprint race at Formula 1's Belgian Grand Prix to start Red Bull's new era with a win. On the first lap of the 15-lap contest, Verstappen used his Red Bull's superior top speed to draft past polesitter Oscar Piastri at Les Combes, much like the championship leader had feared before the start.

Max Verstappen won the first race of the post-Christian Horner era at Red Bull, beating the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the sprint in Belgium.

Formula One champion Max Verstappen won a "cat and mouse" Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bull's first race under the leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner's dismissal.