Red Bull’s Horner-Free Dawn at Belgian GP

Red Bull Racing stepped into a new chapter at the Belgian Grand Prix, their first outing without Christian Horner at the helm. The team principal’s abrupt departure earlier this month, replaced by Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls, hung over the Spa-Francorchamps weekend like a persistent cloud.

On track, Max Verstappen started strong but faced a grid penalty that dropped him back. He clawed his way to a solid points finish, keeping his championship lead intact. Sergio Perez, under pressure to perform, delivered a steady run but couldn’t match the pace of rivals like McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who claimed victory after a delayed start due to rain.

Off track, the shift felt tangible. Mekies, now CEO, kept a low profile in the garage, focusing on strategy calls that echoed Horner’s era but with a fresh edge. Team insiders noted a calmer atmosphere, free from the internal tensions that had simmered since Horner’s exit amid controversy.

Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, added to the drama with a sharp grid exchange with commentator Nico Rosberg, dodging questions on the sacking. Meanwhile, Horner himself surfaced online, sharing light-hearted snaps from a horse-riding outing, captioning one with a cheeky nod to missing the race: “Spa day of a different kind.”

For Red Bull, this race marked adaptation rather than revolution. Verstappen dismissed any link to his own future, insisting his focus remains on wins. With Mekies steering the ship, the team eyes the summer break to regroup, aiming to fend off McLaren and Mercedes in a tightening title fight.