Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris
Latest posts
10.18pm
Where did Horner go? All the off-season shenanigans explained
Hannah Kennelly
The Belgian Grand Prix begins the second half of the F1 season, however the bigest moments so far have arguably come from the off-season.
In case you've been living under a rock, Red Bull abruptly fired their long-term team principal Christian Horner after a 20-year stint that included eight Formula 1 drivers' titles, six constructors' titles, and 124 race wins.
Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will 'forever remain an important part of our team history'. The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.
So what actually happened?
The announcement follows a period of tense internal politics within Red Bull as well as a lacklustre performance on track during the 2025 season. Read more here.
Will Max Verstappen go to Mercedes?
If you weren't swept up in the Horner saga, it's likely you've been occupied by the rumour-mill concerning Max Verstappen and a potential move to Mercedes.
Loading
Verstappen currently sits in third place in the driver's championship, and while the Dutchman's talent and drive to win remains unquestionable, it's clear that McLaren have the better car and pace.
Mercedes driver George Russell's contract expires this year and a contract renewal has not been announced. This potentially opens the door for Verstappen to switch teams.
That speculation hit a fever pitch when news broke Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff happened to be in the Italian island of Sardinia at the same time a few weeks ago.
So far, no announcements have been made, but a typically wry Verstappen has remained tight-lipped during press conferences.
He batted away journalists persistent questions around a Mercedes move and quipped,'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow!' he said. 'So then, there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable.'
10.08pm
What happened in Qualifying
By Hannah Kennelly
Nine points. That's all that separates Oscar Piastri (241) from his teammate Lando Norris (232) in the driver's championship standings.
During Saturday's qualifying session, Norris pipped Piastri to pole position with a time of 1:40.562, beating the Aussie by 0.085 – less than a tenth of a second.
'The second lap was coming together really well and I just made a little mistake in (turn) 14. It is fine margins out there,' Piastri said after qualifying.
'Not a bad place to be starting, but there was more in it so that is disappointing.'
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start from third and Red Bull champion Max Verstappen sits in fourth for Red Bull.
McLaren's pace has been the talk of the season, but Verstappen has shown no signs of giving up his quest for a fifth consecutive championship. The Dutchman started second during the Spa Sprint race and manoeuvred past Piastri to win the race – his first victory since Imola.
In a post-race interview, Verstappen described his race strategy as like 'playing cat and mouse'. The Red Bull star sits in third place in the driver's championship with 173 points.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Aussie swim star Kaylee McKeown claims world championships gold
Australia's backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown has done it again, shrugging off injury to claim gold in the 100m backstroke at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. The 24-year-old Queenslander stormed home to take the gold in 57.16 seconds, holding off American rival Regan Smith (57.35) to grab top spot on the podium. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. McKeown's time was a championship and Australian record and she reportedly achieved the feat despite battling a dislocated shoulder in recent weeks. A two-time Olympian, McKeown can boast five Olympic gold medals, one silver and three bronze from her glittering career in the pool so far. And she proved she has plenty left in the tank with her thrilling performance at the Singapore Sports Hub. 'McKeown laying down the challenge here, she's gone up on level terms here,' a commentator said in the final stages of the nailbiting race. 'Smith and McKeown, it's Smith in front but McKeown is now taking over the lead. 'McKeown goes in and takes the gold and takes the championship record!' SMH journalist Tom Decent reported prior to Tuesday night's final that the Aussie superstar had been dealing with a dislocated shoulder in the build-up to the championships. 'Some news regarding Kaylee McKeown ahead of her showdown tonight with USA's Regan Smith in the women's 100m backstroke final,' he tweeted. 'Can reveal McKeown dislocated her shoulder in recent weeks. Something she's been managing plus other niggles.' So her performance brought some huge praise from the swimming world online. An X account called @herwaysports tweeted: 'Australia's Kaylee McKeown has added to her incredible legacy, breaking the World Champs and Oceania record tonight on her way to 100m Backstroke gold tonight in Singapore. 'Her time of 57.16 was just ahead of American arch rival Regan Smith.' Swimming identity Kyle Sockwell wrote: 'This rivalry between Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith is wildly under-appreciated. What a race again.' Another X user replied: 'Rivalry or one sided domination, brother? Kaylee smashes her every time when it counts.' The official World Aquatics account wrote: 'Big big thumbs up for Kaylee McKeown! Championships and Australian Record to secure the Gold Medal on the Women's 100m Backstroke!'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
World Cup-chasing Socceroo Hrustic seals club move
Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029. Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029. Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Britney Spears' notorious Mercedes going up for auction
Britney Spears' famous black Mercedes is going up for auction. The Toxic hitmaker was regularly pictured behind the wheel of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 in 2007 when her life began spiralling out of control and after the convertible spent almost 15 years on display at the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois, it is now being auctioned off. The museum are putting a number of their vehicles and vintage items up for auction between 1 and 7 August, including the Mercedes, TMZ reports. Britney was regularly followed by paparazzi during the time she owned the car and was seen driving through red lights in a bid to shake off the photographers, and the vehicle was also involved in a hit-and-run incident in August 2007. The Gimme More singer bumped into another car in a Los Angeles parking lot but charges were later dropped when she reached a settlement with the other driver. Perhaps most notoriously, Britney was in the Mercedes when she famously got out and attacked a paparazzo's car with an umbrella, having recently shaved her head. Volo believe the vehicle is the most documented celebrity-owned car of all time. Earlier this month, the 43-year-old star revealed she had bought herself a new car but "hates" it already. She wrote on Instagram: "Got a new car but I hate it. The roof doesn't come off, WTF !!! The pedals are not like my old car at all. I almost ran into my house, oh well !!!" Britney who regained control of her multimillion-dollar fortune and various aspects of her life when a conservatorship that had been governed by her immediate family was terminated in November 2021 - also bought a new car towards the end of last year but admitted at the time that she had "no idea" what it was. She said: "l'm driving in my new car. I have no idea what kind of car this is. I think it's a cheap "Corolla or something. But it feels like, almost like a, it just kind of drives by itself. Corrola is a model by Toyota, but when the camera panned around, the steering wheel revealed the Nissan logo. Despite her apparent confusion, the '...Baby One More Time' hitmaker was "excited" to be taking her new car for a spin. She said: "But I'm excited because I'm going to go ride horses. I'm excited, here we go. Yes, oh God. It just kind of drives by itself. But l'm excited because l'm going to go ride horses. I'm excited, here we go. Yes, oh God."
