SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Max Verstappen kicked off Red Bull's post-Christian Horner era with an impressive sprint race victory. Reigning world champion Verstappen passed Oscar Piastri on Lap 1 and then held off the Australian and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to clinch the victory.

As Max Verstappen slips to fourth place in qualifying, Red Bull says it has upped its downforce levels anticipating a wet Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Formula One champion Max Verstappen won a "cat and mouse" Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bull's first race under the leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner's dismissal.

Red Bull have taken the decision to sacrifice Max Verstappen's superior top-speed at Spa. Red Bull have revealed they have sacrificed Max Verstappen’s top-speed advantage for increased downforce ahead of an anticipated wet Belgian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris took pole position for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen won the sprint race earlier in the day.

Max Verstappen has conquered the sprint race at Formula 1's Belgian Grand Prix to start Red Bull's new era with a win. On the first lap of the 15-lap contest, Verstappen used his Red Bull's superior top speed to draft past polesitter Oscar Piastri at Les Combes, much like the championship leader had feared before the start.

Max Verstappen caught Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and took the win in the F1 Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix

However, the Dutchman failed to take the momentum into qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix race as he only managed to put his Red Bull fourth, behind Charles Leclerc, Piastri and Norris. It has to be said that Verstappen 's car underwent a set-up change during the break between the sprint and the Grand Prix qualifying.

The race marked the debut of Laurent Mekies as Red Bull’s CEO and team principal, following Christian Horner’s departure two weeks ago.

Max Verstappen says he's shown Red Bull he will always give his all for the team with his performances after winning the Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix.Red Bull’s first race weekend without Christian Horner as team principal got off to a winning start early on Saturday,