Verstappen fends off Piastri to win Belgian GP Sprint

Max Verstappen held off Oscar Piastri in a tense 15-lap sprint duel at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday, July 26 (6:00 PM DOTr rolls out card payments for MRT-3 time), giving Red Bull a winning start to its new Horner-less chapter.

The Dutchman got the jump at the start, using Red Bull’s straight-line supremacy to draft past Piastri into Les Combes just as the McLaren driver had predicted.

Lando Norris briefly lost third to Charles Leclerc on lap one, but reclaimed the spot by lap four to chase down the lead as the Ferrari dropped away.

Running used mediums against McLaren’s fresh rubber, Verstappen remained under threat throughout as Piastri hovered within DRS range.

McLaren remained the quicker car on balance, but Verstappen’s defensive lines and top-end speed nullified Piastri’s runs into the main overtaking zones.

The Australian’s best look came on lap 11 into Turn 5 as Verstappen began reporting brake issues, but it wasn’t enough to force an error.

Norris eyed a late move on his teammate but ultimately played rear gunner, with Piastri’s P2 finish extending his title lead by just one point.

Leclerc came home a distant fourth, unable to live with the top three’s pace over a full stint.

Esteban Ocon cruised to fifth ahead of Carlos Sainz and Haas rookie Oliver Bearman, locking in solid points hauls for their squads.

Isack Hadjar took eighth and the final point after a composed drive ahead of Bortoleto and Lawson in a tight midfield shuffle.

Mercedes had little to cheer; George Russell stayed stuck in the DRS train in 12th, while Kimi Antonelli brought up the rear in 20th.

Lewis Hamilton made up just two spots from 17th in a muted Ferrari debut sprint, crossing the line 15th.

Pierre Gasly, originally set to start P8, was sidelined by a pre-race water leak and ran two laps down after a delayed start.

Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix resumes at its local time (9:00 PM Philippine time) as Verstappen eyes a weekend sweep.