Despite Oscar Piastri, the current leader leader on driver's standings, starting from pole position, Max Verstappen made a crucial move on the opening lap, utilising the slipstream down the Kemmel Straight in Belgium to snatch the lead from Piastri at Turn 5 (Les Combes).

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.

McLaren's Lando Norris has struck back against team-mate Oscar Piastri by taking his fourth pole of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix.