“Yes, it’s a sprint race, not a Grand Prix,” says Max Verstappen, “But winning in Spa is always special, so this one counts for me too.” The fact that he managed to keep the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris behind him was gratifying. “It wasn’t easy,” he admits.
Verstappen later used the term ‘cat-and-mouse game’ in Belgium to describe his battle with Piastri and Norris. “I knew I had to strike quickly,” he said of his overtaking move on Piastri in the opening lap. “It’s a great victory, especially since this Spa circuit is my favourite. Keeping the McLarens behind me makes it extra satisfying.”
It was far from simple. “It felt like I was driving fifteen qualifying laps in a row. The challenge is to give it your all and make no mistakes.”
