SPA, Belgium — Max Verstappen has clinched his first Sprint win of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Franchorchamps Circuit.
Starting second, the Red Bull driver made an impressive overtake on polesitter Oscar Piastri during the opening lap of action.
As the Sprint entered into its second half, the Dutchman faced increasing pressure from both Piastri and the other McLaren of Lando Norris.
Despite Piastri’s best efforts, Verstappen continued to defend his position and sealed a dominant win, with Piastri and Norris settling for second and third, respectively.
“It worked out really well,” said Verstappen. “That is the only real opportunity that you’re going to get against them, and we got it into Turn 5.
“I knew it was going to be very tough keeping them behind, so it was very much like cat and mouse with DRS, battery usage, and the whole race was within seven tenths.
“I couldn’t afford to make big mistakes. I had one tiny hiccup into the last corner, but apart from that, it was a great result to keep them behind. To have a win here at Spa, for me, it’s a Sprint win, but it still counts, and I’m very happy with what we did out there.”
Charles Leclerc followed in fourth for Ferrari, despite briefly running ahead of Norris in the early stages, while Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, the other Haas of Ollie Bearman and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar followed in fifth through to eighth.
