Piastri surprises in Belgian GP practice as Verstappen lags and Red Bull steps into post-Horner era

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium), July 25 — Formula One leader Oscar Piastri delivered an impressive performance in the sole practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, outpacing Max Verstappen as Red Bull begins a new chapter without Christian Horner.

Piastri was a commanding 0.404 seconds faster than four-time world champion Verstappen, whose team is racing without Horner at the helm for the first time since its 2005 debut in the sport.

McLaren’s Lando Norris placed third, 0.504 seconds behind Piastri, and will need to close the gap if he hopes to chip away at his teammate’s eight-point lead in the standings.

With Belgium following the sprint format, Friday’s second session was replaced by qualifying for Saturday’s 100km sprint race.

Mercedes’ George Russell, last year’s disqualified winner due to an underweight car, was fourth quickest, while teammate Kimi Antonelli slotted in sixth between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll secured eighth, followed by teammate Fernando Alonso in ninth. Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar rounded out the top 10, marking the first race weekend with new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, who steps in following Horner’s dismissal after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. — Reuters