Top 3 finishers in Belgian GP Sprint Race soak up result on 'a day (they) won't forget'

It was another win in the bag for Red Bull's Max Verstappen during Saturday's Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Race.

The Dutchman started the race from the front, but saw his lead go to McLaren's Oscar Piastri after a flurry of pitstops on the opening two laps.

Asked if he felt the team made the wrong call not to bring him into the pits when racing got under way, Verstappen was adamant that not pitting presented a lesser risk.

"It was a safer call (not to come in), so I didn't mind to stay out," the defending champion said.

"We lost one position, but we knew we were quick, [and] when we put the inters on, we were flying. I need to pass a few cars [on Sunday], and the biggest risk is Lap 1, Turn 1.

"As long as we stay out of trouble, we'll be okay."

Though he qualified first, Verstappen will start Sunday's Belgian GP in sixth, having taken a five-place grid penalty for fitting a new gearbox.

Our top three sprinters at Spa ??????#BelgianGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/lT2YjNPEkk

Piastri is on fire!

Piastri was again on fire, securing another good result for his resurging McLaren team and registering his first podium finish in F1, albeit in a Sprint Race.

The Australian dipped into the pits when the first safety car period ended, inheriting the lead when Verstappen did so at the end of the next lap. Still, he is happy with how the race went having led several laps.

"Very, very happy," Piastri said. "We tried our best, we boxed when the Safety Car came in, led a few laps, but we were no match for Max.

"Apart from Max, our pace was really strong. I can't thank the team enough for the car; we still have a little bit of work to do, but to lead my first laps is a day I won't forget."

LAP 6/11: We are racing again! And Verstappen powers past Piastri