Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at Spa-Francorchamps, securing victory in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint and handing Red Bull their first triumph since Christian Horner's dismissal a fortnight ago.
The four-time world champion demonstrated his exceptional racecraft, seizing the lead from pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the opening lap before maintaining his advantage throughout the 15-lap encounter.
"The team can always count on me. They will always get my very best, whoever is in charge. They know that," the Dutchman stated post-race.
"I'm never holding back or anything. I'm always trying to give them the best possible result, and that's also what they pay me for."
Reuters
|Max Verstappen won convincingly on Saturday in the Belgium Grand Prix Sprint
The result marks Red Bull's first success of any kind since their Imola victory in May, providing an ideal beginning for new team principal Laurent Mekies in his inaugural race at the helm.
Verstappen's triumph came despite McLaren's superior cornering pace, with the Dutchman expertly managing his car's straight-line speed advantage.
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The decisive moment arrived immediately as the lights went out, with Verstappen capitalising on his Red Bull's low-downforce configuration to execute a brilliant manoeuvre up the Kemmel Straight.
Utilising the slipstream behind Piastri's McLaren, the Dutchman swept past into Les Combes corner, establishing control that would prove unbreakable.
Though Piastri possessed superior pace through Spa's technical sections, Verstappen's defensive expertise kept the Australian at bay throughout the contest.
The McLaren driver remained within striking distance, circulating mere tenths behind, yet could find no opportunity to reclaim the position he'd lost at the start.
Even when Norris joined the battle with five laps remaining, creating a two-pronged McLaren assault, Verstappen's racecraft proved impenetrable.
Laurent Mekies enjoyed a dream debut in the Red Bull hot seat, witnessing his new charge deliver precisely the result the team desperately needed.
The Frenchman's congratulatory message over the radio reflected his satisfaction: "Well done Max. Very, very impressive defence, very well controlled. You didn't leave anything on the table there."
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Verstappen's appreciative response of "Thank you, Laurent" marked the beginning of their working relationship on the perfect note.
The former AlphaTauri boss, who assumed control following Horner's exit after the British Grand Prix, couldn't have scripted a better start to his tenure with the Milton Keynes outfit.
The Sprint result saw Piastri extend his championship advantage over team-mate Norris to nine points, despite finishing second.
Norris recovered to third after briefly dropping to fourth behind Charles Leclerc's Ferrari on the opening lap, maintaining his starting position.
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