Oscar Piastri has beaten Max Verstappen to pole position for the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix as Red Bull began its first Formula 1 race weekend since the firing of Christian Horner as team principal.

Horner was relieved of operational duties at the team he had fronted for two decades following the British Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies stepping up to replace him. Several drivers expressed their surprise at Christian Horner’s exit from Red Bull as F1 assembled for the first time since news of his exit broke,