Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race yesterday to get Red Bull’s post Christian Horner-era off to a flying start.
The world champion beat McLaren pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on Laurent Mekies’ first race weekend as team principal since replacing sacked Horner a fortnight ago.
Lando Norris in the other McLaren was third.
Photo: EPA
“It worked out really well, I knew it was going to be tough keeping them [the McLarens] behind,” Verstappen said.
“I couldn’t afford to make any big mistakes. It’s a sprint win but it still counts,” added the Dutchman after his 12th career sprint win.
Piastri enjoyed a smooth getaway, but Verstappen made his decisive pass down the Kemmel straight on the first of the 15-lap dash.
Piastri extended his lead in the driver’s championship by one point to nine over Norris, with Verstappen 68 points adrift of the Australian.
The main race is to take place today.
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