SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, 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.

However, the Dutchman failed to take the momentum into qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix race as he only managed to put his Red Bull fourth, behind Charles Leclerc, Piastri and Norris. It has to be said that Verstappen 's car underwent a set-up change during the break between the sprint and the Grand Prix qualifying.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the team's priority for the 2026 Formula One season. The revelation comes after Max Verstappen was strongly linked to Mercedes.

Max Verstappen says he's shown Red Bull he will always give his all for the team with his performances after winning the Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix.Red Bull’s first race weekend without Christian Horner as team principal got off to a winning start early on Saturday,

Follow live coverage as Spa hosts Round 13 of the 2025 Formula One world championship and the Belgian Grand Prix weekend

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has revealed that he misses his personal life due to his commitments in Formula One, addressing the topic of his potential retirement. The four-time world champion and his partner, Kelly Piquet, welcomed their first child together in May 2025.