Max Verstappen won the first race of the post-Christian Horner era at Red Bull, beating the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the sprint in Belgium.

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.

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

With Red Bull off the pace and a daughter at home, Verstappen tells The Athletic he's thinking long term - on and off the grid

Major headlines include updates to Max Verstappen’s potential Mercedes move, as well as some potential changes to the F1 rulebook. Rumours have abounded that reigning champion Max Verstappen is in discussions with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff regarding a possible move to the team in 2026.

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.