
Verstappen wins Red Bull's first race since Horner's exit
McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri finished second, after starting on pole position, with the Australian increasing his advantage over teammate Lando Norris, who was third, to nine points.
Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari with Haas's Esteban Ocon fifth and Carlos Sainz sixth for Williams. Haas's Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar completed the scoring positions.
Qualifying for Sunday's main grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps followed later on Saturday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Red Bull adviser confirms Max Verstappen staying for 2026
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Red Bull's Max Verstappen looks on as the race start is suspended due to rain in the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. SPA FRANCORCHAMPS – Red Bull Racing will have Formula One superstar and four-time world champion Max Verstappen for at least another season. Team adviser Helmut Marko said on July 28 that the Dutchman would return to the team in 2026 despite reported interest from Mercedes. A widely reported exit clause in Verstappen's Red Bull contract would have allowed him to leave the team at year's end if he were fourth or lower in the championship standings as of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which takes place this Sunday. Following the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday, Verstappen sits in third place in the F1 standings and far enough ahead of fourth-place George Russell (28 points) that he cannot be caught in Hungary. The understanding of Verstappen's situation was confirmed when Marko spoke to German outlet 'Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026,' Marko said. Mercedes' cars are currently occupied by Russell and potential rising star Kimi Antonelli, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has not denied looking into pursuing Verstappen, the winningest F1 driver since his first championship in 2021. Earlier this month, Red Bull abruptly dismissed team principal Christian Horner and replaced him with Laurent Mekies. Verstappen's agent told a Dutch outlet at the time that Verstappen remained committed to the team despite the change. The driver himself said last week that Horner's exit will not influence his F1 future. 'Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction probably,' he said. 'Everyone else of course has to anyway agree to that and look forward. And I am looking forward. 'I'm equally also excited for the team now moving forward because that's what we have to do. Looking back doesn't make sense. It's not going to make you faster. 'At the same time, we do appreciate of course those 20 years and especially from my side, the 10, 11 that I've been part of Red Bull. Those things will always be remembered. Life is unpredictable. But in general, I'm very happy where I'm at.' He added that his first impressions of Mekies were good. 'I like Laurent. He's a very nice guy, first of all, very clever guy,' Verstappen said. 'He's been in different areas of the F1 paddock as well. And I think that can be helpful.' Meanwhile, Marko also said that the 2025 championship was still within Verstappen's reach, but the Dutchman has downplayed those claims. 'Helmut is not in the car!' he said. 'I understand that you have to be positive about it. On the other hand, I am always very realistic about what I feel in the car. And when I look at certain onboards of other cars, I know enough.' REUTERS, AFP

Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Why must construction of public bridge be stopped for sports events?
Find out what's new on ST website and app. I refer to the article ' Work to build bridge linking Marina Centre and Gardens by the Bay to start in Q1 2026 ' (July 25) on the building of a pedestrian bridge to facilitate the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities. It was reported that all construction work within the Marina Channel will need to be stopped during several upcoming international sporting events. Structural works along or adjacent to the waterfront promenade will be halted eight weeks before and during the annual Formula One race periods, at the request of the Singapore Tourism Board. I am amazed that the construction of an important public infrastructure project will have to be halted due to a sporting event like F1, which caters mainly to tourists, thus extending the completion date and possibly increasing the construction costs. Such concessions may lead to more calls for special consideration to be given to other parties whose interests may be affected by public infrastructure works. Tan Siak Hee


CNA
13 hours ago
- CNA
Wiebes wins chaotic sprint in Tour de France Femmes stage three as Vos reclaims yellow
Lorena Wiebes prevailed in a chaotic sprint to claim victory in the third stage of the Tour de France Femmes on Monday, edging fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos who took the overall lead after a 163.5km ride from La Gacilly to Angers. Sprint specialist Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who narrowly lost stage two to Mavi Garcia, made an explosive push for the finish as a crash in the final four kilometres temporarily took out several riders including 2023 champion Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez). Opening stage winner Vos (Visma–Lease a Bike) lost a photo-finish to Wiebes but reclaimed the yellow jersey from Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), who led the general classification after Sunday's second stage but dropped to second with a six-second deficit. "It was very hectic... I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well," Vos said. The stage, mostly on a flat terrain, began without Giro d'Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini, who withdrew from the race due to a stomach infection. Four riders made an early attack to form the leading pack, with Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) winning a mountain sprint to the top of Cote de La Richardiere. But others slowly caught up, with Lotte Kopecky expertly leading her teammate Wiebes to the front, setting up the final sprint just before the crash derailed a number of riders behind them. New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) finished third as her teammate Vollering, who recovered from the crash, remained in contention in the general classification, sitting 19 seconds behind Vos.