Max Verstappen secured victory in the Sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday, July 26, 2025, taking the lead on the first lap and fending off pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The four-time world champion, driving for Red Bull, earned the eight points in the short race, while Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, racing for Sauber, finished ninth, just one position shy of the points zone. The event, held at 7 a.m. (Brasília time), marked the first weekend under Laurent Mekies’ leadership at Red Bull, following Christian Horner’s departure. The race was intense, with Verstappen’s strategic start and Bortoleto’s consistency standing out in a competitive grid.
The 15-lap Sprint race saw few incidents but delivered excitement in the battle for the lead. Verstappen overtook Piastri on the Kemmel straight in the first lap and managed his advantage until the end. Bortoleto, meanwhile, capitalized on Pierre Gasly’s mechanical issue with Alpine to gain a position. The race underscores the competitiveness of the 2025 season, with McLaren leading the constructors’ championship and drivers like Piastri and Norris vying for the title.
Lead secured on the first lap
The start of the Sprint in Spa-Francorchamps was pivotal to the race’s outcome. Oscar Piastri, starting from pole, lost the lead to Max Verstappen on the first lap, as the Dutchman leveraged Red Bull’s power on the Kemmel straight. Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, also capitalized at the start, overtaking Lando Norris for third place. Gabriel Bortoleto, starting in tenth, held ninth position after Gasly’s absence, who faced a water leak and started from the pits.
- Verstappen took the lead with a precise move on the Kemmel straight.
- Leclerc overtook Norris but lost the position on lap four.
- Bortoleto maintained a steady pace, holding his position.
- Gasly, with mechanical issues, started two laps behind.
Verstappen’s strategy was key. Red Bull showed strength in sector 1, particularly in the Eau Rouge-Raidillon combination, allowing the Dutchman to build an early lead. Despite pressure from the McLarens, who closed in on the final lap, Verstappen held the lead by less than a second.
Intense pressure from McLarens
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were Verstappen’s main challengers in the Sprint. Piastri, starting from pole, stayed within 0.7 seconds of the leader at several points, notably attempting an overtake in sector 3 on lap six. Norris, after reclaiming third from Leclerc using DRS on lap four, also closed in on his teammate, forming a tight pack in the fight for the podium.
McLaren, the virtual 2025 constructors’ champion, showed strong pace in medium and high-speed corners but couldn’t overtake Red Bull in the more technical sectors. The tense battle on lap ten, with Piastri opening the DRS, was a highlight, but Verstappen stayed composed and neutralized the attacks. The final podium, with Verstappen, Piastri, and Norris, reflects the season’s competitiveness.
Brazilian rookie shines in debut
Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut Formula 1 season with Sauber, impressed by finishing ninth in the Sprint. The Brazilian, starting tenth, gained a position due to Gasly’s absence and maintained a solid pace over the 15 laps. Though just one spot shy of the points, Bortoleto showed consistency on the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit, known for its fast corners and unpredictable weather.
- Bortoleto started well and held ninth from the outset.
- He finished 1.7 seconds from the points zone on the final lap.
- Sauber continues to improve, with Bortoleto outperforming Hülkenberg.
- Spa marks Bortoleto’s first F1 experience at the Belgian circuit.
At 20 years old, Bortoleto carries the responsibility of representing Brazil in the category after years without a driver from the country. His friendship with Verstappen, forged since 2017, was also a talking point during the GP weekend, with the Dutchman praising the Brazilian’s talent in paddock interviews.
Technical challenges before the start
Before the Sprint began, Alpine faced technical issues with Pierre Gasly’s car. A water leak detected by the team forced the car’s withdrawal for repairs, resulting in a pit-lane start with a two-lap deficit. The incident hampered Alpine’s strategy, already struggling in the 2025 season. Gasly’s absence allowed drivers like Bortoleto to advance on the grid.
The technical issue underscored the importance of reliability in short races like the Sprint, where there’s little room for error. Alpine now focuses on recovery for the Grand Prix qualifying, scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.
Sprint’s importance for the championship
Verstappen’s Sprint victory earned him eight crucial points, bringing his total to 173 in the Drivers’ Championship. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader with 241 points, extended his lead over Lando Norris, who has 232, by one point. McLaren remains ahead in the constructors’ championship, but Red Bull shows signs of recovery with the Spa win.
- Verstappen: 173 points, third in the Drivers’ Championship.
- Piastri: 241 points, championship leader.
- Norris: 232 points, second place.
- McLaren leads the constructors’ championship.
- Bortoleto still seeks his first points of the season.
The Sprint also served as a gauge for the main race, set for Sunday at 10 a.m. The qualifying session, held later on Saturday, will determine the grid for the 44-lap race, where Verstappen aims to solidify his recovery and Bortoleto targets the points zone.
Preparation for the main race
With the Sprint concluded, teams now shift focus to the qualifying and main race. Verstappen, boosted by the win, is a favorite for pole position, but McLaren will keep the pressure on. Bortoleto aims to improve Sauber’s setup, which showed progress in Spa. The circuit, with iconic corners like Eau Rouge and Pouhon, demands precision and balance, making qualifying critical.
Weather will also be a factor to watch. Spa-Francorchamps is notorious for rapid weather changes, and teams must be ready for last-minute adjustments. Sauber, in particular, is working to optimize Bortoleto’s performance, who has already shown potential in his rookie season.
Spa-Francorchamps’ legacy
Spa-Francorchamps, one of Formula 1’s most iconic circuits, continues to deliver memorable moments. Its combination of fast corners, long straights, and technical sectors challenges drivers and teams, as seen in the Sprint. Verstappen, with his 12th Sprint win, reinforces his dominance at the Belgian track, while Bortoleto begins his journey at one of motorsport’s most revered circuits.
- Spa is 7.004 km long, one of F1’s longest circuits.
- The Eau Rouge-Raidillon corner is among the most iconic.
- The Belgian circuit has been on the F1 calendar since 1950.
- Verstappen has now won the Sprint in Spa three times.
The Belgian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2025 season, promises more excitement in the main race, with Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, and Bortoleto as names to watch.
