As Max Verstappen slips to fourth place in qualifying, Red Bull says it has upped its downforce levels anticipating a wet Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday

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.

Max Verstappen said Red Bull could always count on him, as the four-times Formula One champion gave new team boss Laurent Mekies a winning start in a Saturday sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix. The race was the first since Christian Horner,

Max Verstappen caught Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and took the win in the F1 Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix

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.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen shockingly managed to split the two McLaren drivers during the sprint race qualifying for the Belgium Grand Prix

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Max Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri to win the Formula 1 sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday as Red Bull begins a new era without fired team principal Christian Horner.

SPA, Belgium — Max Verstappen has said the departure of Red Bull Formula One chief Christian Horner will have no influence on any decision about his future with the team.

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has opened up on the lesser-known details of Christian Horner's exit and if the departure has affected him in any way. The four-time world champion confirmed that he knew about Horner's ousting in advance, revealing that the Red Bull management decided to follow an alternate approach.

Max Verstappen doesn’t think Christian Horner’s firing at Red Bull “will matter at all” amid speculation that he could leave the team after this season

Red Bull Racing has gone through some dramatic changes over the past few weeks, but Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle believes that Max Verstappen will remain one constant into the F1 2026 season. According to Brundle, Verstappen is “certain” to remain with Red Bull despite recent rumours of a move to Mercedes.