Formula One champion Max Verstappen won a cat and mouse Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bulls first race under the leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horners dismissal.
McLarens championship leader Oscar Piastri finished second, after taking a dominant pole position for the 100km race , with the Australian increasing his advantage over teammate Lando Norris to nine points.
Norris ended up where he started, in third place on a bright afternoon at the longest and second fastest track on the calendar.
Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari with Haass Esteban Ocon fifth and Carlos Sainz sixth for Williams. Haass Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar completed the scoring positions.
Qualifying for what could be a soggy main grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday followed later .
