2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Victor Wins First Sprint Race of the Season
The new Red Bull era began with a sprint race win for Max Verstappen in Belgium. With an early first-lap overtake, Verstappen claimed his first sprint race win of the 2025 season. This victory is key for Verstappen and Red Bull as the shift in leadership could have helped to break their short winless streak. Verstappen is now 59 points behind Lando Norris in the World Drivers Championship and 68 points behind the current leader, Oscar Piastri.
In early July, Christian Horner was released as Red Bull team principal. He had led Red Bull since they joined Formula 1 in 2005. Today’s sprint win was Red Bull’s first race and victory under new team principal Laurent Mekies. The win is a clear sign of Red Bull’s resilience under new leadership and Verstappen’s determination for a fifth consecutive championship.
Verstappen has been looking for a win since Imola in May. Starting from second on the grid, he immediately attacked Piastri at pole position to overtake him on the first lap. Once in front, Verstappen relentlessly stayed at the head of the pack until the checkered flag. Verstappen proudly races under the Dutch flag but was born in Belgium and says Spa-Francorchamps is one of his favorite tracks. To take home this sprint race win, Verstappen carries on Red Bull’s legacy into the new era.
Although Verstappen claimed eight valuable championship points, he still lies in third in the championship behind both McLaren drivers. However, Verstappen’s victory is a preview of what Red Bull could bring to the second half of the season. Their ability to adapt their strategy and capitalize on their straight-line speed advantage shows their constant threat, especially in sprint races. Post-race, Verstappen reflects on his sprint win, saying, “To have a win in Spa here for me, even though it's a sprint win, it still counts.”
The full 44 laps at the Belgian Grand Prix are still to come, where Verstappen starts at position four, sitting behind both McLarens and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. With a deeper start at the race, Verstappen should not be counted out for this track. In Belgium 2022, he started in P14 at still won the race. The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa could be a pivotal weekend for Red Bull and Verstappen’s championship chances. All eyes are on whether Verstappen can continue to win in the new Red Bull Era and seek out his fifth consecutive world title.
