While some drivers, like Lando Norris, were on board with the decision, not everyone shared the same sentiment. Max Verstappen, never one to hold back, had a fiery reaction that’s now turning heads across the paddock and sparking debate in the F1 world.

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's Max Verstappen will not be able to trigger the performance clause in his contract with the team as he heads into the F1 summer break within the top three of the championship

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.

SportsLine's model analyzes Red Bull's Max Verstappen, McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and the rest of the starting grid's chances at the 2025 F1 Belgian GP