Verstappen takes lead on opening lap of race
Ideal start for Red Bull under Laurent Mekies
Max Verstappen won the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix with a steely and opportunistic drive to grind out victory for Red Bull against the odds.
Having taken the lead on the opening lap he beat the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris into second and third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth. His teammate Lewis Hamilton could manage only 15th having started in 18th.
It was something of another processional sprint over the 15 laps but the second place means Piastri has extended his championship lead over Norris from eight to nine points.
