Red Bull Faces New Era Without Horner as Belgian GP Approaches

The 2025 Formula 1 season resumes this weekend at the historic Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, bringing with it significant changes and intense competition. Red Bull Racing enters this race without its long-time team principal, Christian Horner, who was dismissed after more than 20 years in charge. The team has appointed Laurent Mekies as his successor, marking a pivotal moment for Red Bull as they navigate the second half of the season.

The absence of Horner is expected to dominate discussions during the media day on Thursday, with attention focusing on the perspectives of drivers including Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda. Following his departure, Horner stated that he was given no specific reasons for his sacking, leading to speculation that Verstappen’s future with the team may have influenced the decision. Mekies will also face scrutiny as he addresses the media on Friday, where questions about the timing of the change are anticipated.

On the track, Red Bull has struggled with performance relative to rivals McLaren. This weekend’s race is critical for Verstappen, who currently trails Oscar Piastri in the championship standings by 69 points. The team achieved pole position during the previous race at Silverstone but faced challenges on race day due to adverse weather conditions. As forecasts predict mixed weather at Spa, Red Bull’s strategy will be tested once again.

Title Rivalry Heats Up Between Norris and Piastri

The championship race intensifies as Lando Norris and Piastri continue their battle for the title. Norris has gained momentum after winning consecutive races, narrowing the gap to Piastri to just eight points. This weekend marks the fourth Sprint event of the season, where additional points are up for grabs, potentially allowing Norris to reclaim the championship lead he lost after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The two drivers have diverged in their vehicle setups, with Norris opting for a new suspension system while Piastri has remained with the older version. Norris has expressed that the updated suspension has restored his confidence in the car, contributing to his recent successes. “It could be that it’s helping me… but I put more of it down to my hard work,” Norris stated, emphasizing his commitment to improving his performance.

With over two weeks since the last race, Piastri and his engineers have analyzed data to determine whether to adopt the new suspension. Should he choose to stick with the older setup this weekend, it may have implications for the remainder of the season.

Ferrari and Other Teams Eye Upgrades

Ferrari is also looking to capitalize on recent improvements as they prepare for what could be their final significant upgrades before focusing on the 2026 season. Following a strong performance in Austria, where Charles Leclerc finished third, the team tested a new rear suspension during a recent filming day at Mugello. This upgrade aims to provide a better operating window for both Leclerc and his teammate, Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes and Red Bull are expected to introduce minor updates, while McLaren remains uncertain about implementing a new floor that was initially tested in Silverstone.

One of the key talking points leading up to the race involves the unusual tire allocation by Pirelli, which has opted for a combination of C1, C3, and C4 compounds, deviating from the traditional consecutive compounds. This strategy will require teams to adapt quickly, especially given the limited practice time available due to the Sprint format. With only 12 sets of tires for the weekend, teams will face significant challenges in managing their resources effectively.

As the Belgian Grand Prix weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the evolving dynamics among the teams and drivers. The competition is set to be fierce, with each decision potentially impacting the championship landscape as the season progresses.