Verstappen grinds out the win, McLaren closes in, Haas and Williams deliver, and Alpine’s sprint… starts late.
Max Verstappen may have won the Sprint at Spa, but it wasn’t a dominant drive, it was a test of endurance. With Oscar Piastri locked within DRS range nearly the entire race, Verstappen had to run what were essentially 15 consecutive qualifying laps to stay ahead. Red Bull’s ultra-low downforce setup, confirmed back in FP1 as a Monza-spec wing, gave Max top speed supremacy, but it was far from comfortable.
McLaren, meanwhile, was right there. Piastri’s performance was especially impressive given that he was running a low/medium-downforce setup, balancing Sector 2 grip with respectable straight-line pace. That, plus McLaren’s new floor package introduced this weekend, gave him a stable platform to push Verstappen to the limit.
Lando Norris also had moments of threat but ultimately mistimed his approach, catching Verstappen too early on the Kemmel straight. That slip allowed Leclerc to build a slipstream and re-attack—a small tactical error that showcased how razor-thin the margins are between McLaren and Red Bull right now.
The finishing order:
- Max Verstappen
- Oscar Piastri
- Lando Norris
- Charles Leclerc
- Esteban Ocon
- Carlos Sainz
- Oliver Bearman
- Isack Hadjar
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Liam Lawson
Midfield Delivers: Haas and Williams Capitalize
This was one of Haas’s strongest performances in years. Ocon in P5 and Bearman in P7 netted the team six points, massive, especially considering both drivers were on used mediums, unlike rivals on new tires. That context, confirmed during FP1, makes their ability to hold position under pressure even more impressive. It’s also Haas’s first points at Spa since 2018.
Williams also hit a milestone: Carlos Sainz brought it home in P6, the team’s best-ever Sprint result. The car held together, the strategy was bulletproof (read: simple), and all four tires stayed on. For a team long plagued by reliability gremlins and strategic fumbles, this was as clean a run as you could ask for. But there’s always a hint of caution. With two more sessions to go, fans are still holding their breath.
Behind them, rookies Hadjar, Bortoleto, and Lawson earned points through disciplined, mistake-free drives. Quiet but effective, exactly what you want from young drivers looking to solidify their place on the grid.
Alpine’s Sprint Start, But Make It Delayed
Pierre Gasly did technically start the Sprint, but only after several laps had already gone by. After qualifying a promising P8, a water leak discovered pre-race prevented a normal grid launch. Alpine scrambled to get him going, but by the time he joined the track, the field was long gone. Alpine found yet another way to sabotage themselves. After dragging the car into the top eight in qualifying, they walked away with nothing. Again.
Ferrari vs. Williams, For P15
One of the more quietly poetic moments of the race came when Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon fought hard for P15, Ferrari vs. Williams, just like old times. While the battle had no strategic consequence, it summed up how the grid’s heritage teams are scattered across the order. It also sparked conversation around 2026, where fans are hoping Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and yes, even Williams, can all return to title contention. Provided Ferrari doesn’t implode and Mercedes doesn’t overcorrect.
Sprint Format Still Struggles at Spa
Even with a tense fight up front, the format itself continues to frustrate. Spa’s long straights and fast corners create predictable DRS trains that lock the field into place after Lap 1. Overtakes are rare, risk is low, and unless there’s rain or major tire strategy variation, there’s little dynamic movement.
And it wasn’t just the racing. Fans were vocal about the broadcast issues, calling out poor camera cuts and the glaring lack of live timing data. There were real midfield battles, particularly involving Haas, Williams, and the rookies, but the broadcast direction failed to capture the momentum and jeopardy they created. Even when the racing delivers, the coverage can still let it down.
Sunday Forecast: Setup Gambles, Tire Clues, and a Chance of Chaos
The next challenge for teams is setup commitment. Red Bull’s low-drag spec won the Sprint, but it likely won’t survive Sunday if the rain arrives. McLaren, with better tire degradation and stronger mid-corner performance, looked like they had more to give, especially late in the Sprint. If Verstappen couldn’t shake Piastri over 15 laps on even tires, how will he defend over a longer, wetter race?
Spa rarely gives us the same story twice. If the weather shifts, strategy opens up and cars like McLaren, and maybe even Ferrari, can put Red Bull under serious pressure. Haas and Williams are now operating with confidence, Alpine is still trying to start on time, and rookies are quietly racking up points.
The grid is on edge. Bring on Sunday.