Red Bull Racing superstar Max Verstappen has been dealt a huge blow ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. After a three-week break on the back of the British Grand Prix, Formula 1 returned on Friday as the Belgium race weekend got underway.

Max Verstappen has been even more heavily linked with a move from Red Bull to F1 rivals Mercedes since long-serving team boss Christian Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies

Laurent Mekies takes charge of Red Bull as its new team principal for a first F1 weekend since Christian Horner’s sacking. Max Verstappen has already held “multiple” talks with the Frenchman during “intense weeks”,

Formula One fans are not happy with Red Bull racing after hearing Yuki Tsunoda's comments about teammate Max Verstappen ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Red Bull and Max Verstappen are already dealing with the absence of ousted team principal Christian Horner at Spa-Francorchamps and now the Dutchman is missing another familiar face

The possibility of new regulations being implemented in F1 could be set to have a significant impact on Red Bull operations going forward. ➡️ READ MORE Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in FIA summons at Belgian Grand Prix Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has had his RB21 summoned ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend,

Mercedes is yet to name its 2026 F1 drivers. With interest from Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Luke Smith argues he should join George Russell

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has played down rumours that he recently met Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in Sardinia to seal a deal for the F1 2026 season. Verstappen has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes for next season over recent weeks despite being officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028.