SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) -Formula One champion Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bull's first race under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner's dismissal.

In a moment of profound transition for Red Bull Racing, newly appointed Team Principal and CEO Laurent Mekies has addressed the elephant in the paddock: stepping into the shoes of Christian Horner, one of Formula 1's most iconic team bosses of the modern era.

Formula One champion Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix sprint on Saturday in Red Bull's first race under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner's dismissal.

Mekies said providing the team's four-times world champion Max Verstappen with a fast car was a priority, as that would then resolve other issues about his future plans, and morale was holding up.