Before Grand Prix in Spa: Verstappen wins Formula 1 sprint in Belgium in front of Piatri

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen draws at least a little new hope in the World Cup fight with a win in the sprint race in Belgium. The Dutch prevailed in his Red Bull on the traditional course in Spa-Francorchamps after a narrow fight just before the Australian World Cup leading Oscar Piatri. Third place went to Piatris McLaren teammate Lando Norris from Great Britain.

“I knew it would be difficult to keep her behind me, but luckily it worked out. I am very happy about what we succeeded today,” said Verstappen. Piatri, who was beaten by 0.7 seconds, said: “They are good points and it is a good result. Nevertheless, I am a bit frustrated that I couldn’t get by in the end.”

In the overall ranking, however, the 27-year-old Verstappen caught up only one point and is still third with 68 points behind Piatri. Verstappen gave his new team boss Laurent Mekies the first success at the first opportunity. Mekies had replaced predecessors Christian Horner in office as a new boss after over 20 years ago and is responsible for the racing team for the first time in Belgium.

Verstappen overtakes Piatri in the first round

Piatri only briefly defended his first start place before Verstappen took the lead in the first round. The demanding course in the Ardennes is the favorite route of Verstappen, which was born in Belgium, but has always been driving with a Dutch license. In the only 100 kilometer race, he quickly had to defend himself against Piatri, who put pressure from behind and kept the gap consistently at less than a second.

Verstappen had won the Grand Prix of Belgium three times in the past, but he had great effort against the stronger McLaren. However, Piatri also made minor driving mistakes and could not pass by. Norris, too, did not make it forward from third place.

Hülkenberg far away from points

After his sensational third place in Silverstone, Nico Hülkenberg had no reason to be happy in the sprint. Beyond the World Cup points, the 37-year-old only took 18th place in the clean. In the Grand Prix on Sunday (3 p.m./Sky) there is already a chance for the Rhinelander to do better.