Max Verstappen is setting his sights on a strong performance at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, as Red Bull Racing enters a new chapter following the departure of Christian Horner. The race at Spa-Francorchamps, scheduled for July 25-27, 2025, marks the first Formula 1 weekend for Red Bull without Horner at the helm in the team's 21-year history. Laurent Mekies, formerly with Racing Bulls, has been appointed as the new Team Principal, ushering in what many see as a "new era" for the team.
Verstappen, who considers Spa-Francorchamps his "favorite track," is eager to work with Mekies. The Belgian Grand Prix is also a home race for Verstappen, as he was born in Belgium. He has a strong track record at Spa, with multiple wins including his dominant performance in 2023. In that race, he overcame a five-place grid penalty to secure victory, demonstrating his ability to navigate the challenging circuit. In 2022, Verstappen also won the race starting from P14.
Spa-Francorchamps is known for its unique characteristics, including high-speed corners like Eau Rouge, elevation changes, and unpredictable weather. These factors combine to make it a challenging and demanding track for drivers and teams alike. The circuit's layout often leads to thrilling races and strategic decisions, with teams needing to adapt to changing conditions.
The departure of Christian Horner has raised questions about the team's dynamics and Verstappen's future. Some reports suggest that Verstappen's future may have played a role in Horner's removal. Toto Wolff, Mercedes' Team Principal, acknowledged Verstappen's talent but indicated that Mercedes is prioritizing George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026. Despite this, Wolff kept the door slightly ajar for Verstappen, acknowledging that "you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future".
Mekies faces the immediate challenge of maintaining team stability and performance amidst the transition. Red Bull currently sits fourth in the standings and Mekies needs to ensure there is no further brain drain, and then set about restoring Red Bull as a team and environment where they can attract the best from their rivals. Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen's teammate, expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with Mekies, with whom he previously worked at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda emphasized the need to "start delivering the performance" required by Red Bull.
The FIA recently conducted inspections on Verstappen's car after the British Grand Prix and found it to be in compliance with the 2025 technical regulations. This scrutiny is standard procedure, ensuring that all teams adhere to the rules and regulations of the sport.
The Belgian Grand Prix will also feature the return of the sprint format, adding another layer of excitement to the weekend. This format includes qualifying and a sprint race on Saturday, followed by the main race on Sunday.
