The Belgian Grand Prix took a lot longer than usual as heavy rain forced a long delay at the start of the race, leaving Max Verstappen in particular unhappy with that decision

In hindsight, Oscar Piastri’s wry smile was indicative of the events that followed. Sitting on pole for Saturday’s sprint race, the Australian was powerless to stop Max Verstappen storming past him on the first racing lap.

McLaren's Lando Norris has struck back against team-mate Oscar Piastri by taking his fourth pole of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were in opposition to one another before Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix was even allowed to get underway due to safety concerns over the rain

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.

Oscar Piastri won a rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings to 16 points over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who finished second after starting on pole.

F1 world championship leader Oscar Piastri extends his title lead over Lando Norris to 16 points with his sixth win of the season; Charles Leclerc beats Max Verstappen to third, as Lewis Hamilton recovers from 18th to seventh;