As Max Verstappen slips to fourth place in qualifying, Red Bull says it has upped its downforce levels anticipating a wet Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Formula One champion Max Verstappen won a "cat and mouse" Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bull's first race under the leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner's dismissal.

Red Bull have taken the decision to sacrifice Max Verstappen's superior top-speed at Spa. Red Bull have revealed they have sacrificed Max Verstappen’s top-speed advantage for increased downforce ahead of an anticipated wet Belgian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen caught Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and took the win in the F1 Sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix

Lando Norris took pole position for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen won the sprint race earlier in the day.

However, the Dutchman failed to take the momentum into qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix race as he only managed to put his Red Bull fourth, behind Charles Leclerc, Piastri and Norris. It has to be said that Verstappen 's car underwent a set-up change during the break between the sprint and the Grand Prix qualifying.