Max Verstappen Pushed ‘Beyond the Limit’ to Defeat McLaren in Belgian GP Sprint

Max Verstappen managed to outrace the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to take an impressive Sprint win at Spa-Francorchamps.

Max Verstappen Pushed ‘Beyond the Limit’ to Defeat McLaren in Belgian GP Sprint

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (images via IMAGO)

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The 2025 F1 season has not been great for Max Verstappen and Red Bull amid a downturn in performance. The Belgian GP is a fresh start for the team after the exit of Christian Horner. Verstappen has managed to kickstart the new era of the team perfectly as he managed to win the sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps.

The reigning world champion qualified in second place for the Sprint. This was an impressive result considering Red Bull’s performance slump so far. Albeit, the team did seem to have an advantage in terms of straight line speed. Max Verstappen made the most of the start and quickly took the race lead from pole-sitter Oscar Piastri. From that point, the Dutchman simply stayed put, despite the quicker pace of the McLaren.

Max Verstappen made it clear that it was not easy to keep Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris behind throughout the course of the race. The 27-year-old asserted that he was essentially pushing the RB21 beyond its limits. So much so, the four-time world champion claimed that he pulled off 15 consecutive Qualifying laps.

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

Max Verstappen said post-race

Verstappen was under constant pressure from the two McLarens. By the ending stages of the race, the top 3 were separated by less than two seconds. However, the Red Bull star managed to fend off the pressure and delivered a much-needed result for Milton Keynes.

Max Verstappen avoided ‘big mistakes’ during Belgian GP Sprint

Driving under pressure is never easy, particularly when fighting for victory. Max Verstappen has experienced such situations before and knows exactly how to deal with it on the track. The Dutchman was able to stay composed and ensure that he bags the race win.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

The 27-year-old was happy to see the stars align this time around. Max Verstappen confessed that this was perhaps the only opportunity he could have had to defeat McLaren. Thus, the Dutchman was quite satisfied with the result. Verstappen even admitted that there was no room for any major errors. Albeit, he did have a tiny lock-up in the final corner.

Yeah, it worked out really well, that is the only real opportunity you’ll get against them so pleased to get it. I couldn’t afford to make big mistakes, I had one tiny lock up in the last corner, but I’m pleased to keep them behind.

Max Verstappen added

Max Verstappen’s Sprint victory will be a major morale boost to Red Bull Racing. The first weekend under new team boss Laurent Mekies could not have had a better start. However, the round is far from over. It will be important for Verstappen to carry forward this momentum into Qualifying for the main race.

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