The Belgian Grand Prix sprint race was largely affected by the differing downforce levels run by the two Formula 1 teams at the front; Red Bull's lower-drag approach with Max Verstappen proved to be the more successful set-up.
McLaren, running slightly higher downforce that led to a 0.47-second gap between polesitter Oscar Piastri and Verstappen in qualifying, was at a disadvantage at the start when the field was at its most compressed; this allowed the trimmed-out Verstappen to gather a powerful slipstream on the Kemmel Straight to make a play for the lead.
