Verstappen wins Spa sprint after early overtake of Piastri

World champion Max Verstappen had a rare moment to cheer this season when he won the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday having quickly overtaken polesitter Oscar Piastri.

It was Verstappen's first race since his Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was sacked after 20 years and replaced with Laurent Mekies.

Australian Piastri got away well from first on the grid but second-placed Verstappen got past on the first lap, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc passing Lando Norris before the McLaren soon retook third.

A mistake by Verstappen on lap 12 meant Piastri was right on his tail, but the Red Bull managed to pull away again from the McLaren and that is how it ended. Esteban Ocon was a surprise fifth for Haas.

Spa is the third of six races this season where a sprint race is taking place on the Saturday ahead of normal qualifying. The full grand prix is on Sunday, with rain forecast on one of the drivers' favourite tracks.

With four-time champion Verstappen well behind McLaren's Piastri and Norris in the world championship standings, winning the 15-lap sprint and gaining eight points makes little difference for the Belgian-born Dutchman.

But at least it gave his fans - many of whom had crossed the border from the Netherlands - something to shout about.

"Worked out really well, that is the only real opportunity you'll get against them so pleased to get it," Verstappen said.

"Keeping faster cars behind, you have to drive beyond the limit of what is possible, it was like 15 qualifying laps."

Speculation has been rife that Verstappen may join Mercedes given his golden spell at Red Bull seems to be coming to an end, but he has hinted this weekend he is staying.

Piastri took seven points and Norris six, meaning the Australian extends his overall lead from eight to nine points over his team-mate.