Max Verstappen began Red Bull's new chapter without Christian Horner with a commanding sprint race win at the Belgian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion showcased his skill by overtaking Oscar Piastri on the first lap and maintaining his lead against the McLaren duo throughout the race.

This victory is significant as it's the first for Red Bull since 2005 not under Horner's leadership, with Laurent Mekies now at the helm. Post-race, Verstappen praised his team's strategy, particularly in managing battery life and gaps, which was crucial for his win.

Race Highlights:

• Verstappen expertly used the slipstream on the Kemmel Straight to pass Piastri.
• The race was tightly contested, with Verstappen admitting he had to perform '15 qualifying laps' to keep the McLarens at bay.
• Piastri and Lando Norris finished second and third, respectively, keeping the championship battle intense.

Strategic Mastery: Verstappen's ability to handle the pressure and execute flawless tire and battery management was pivotal. His victory not only earned him eight championship points but also positioned him closer in the championship standings, now 68 points behind Piastri.

Looking Ahead: The win sets a positive tone for Red Bull in the main event on Sunday, with strategies likely to be more complex and the competition fiercer. Verstappen's performance might just be the morale booster Red Bull needs to sustain their momentum in the upcoming races.