Max Verstappen suffers major blow in build-up to F1 Belgian Grand Prix

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 race weekend in Belgium got underway.

Last time out at Silverstone, McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were a class above the rest as they dominated the field to finish first and second.

Meanwhile, Kick Sauber driver and F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg scored his first ever podium finish after holding off Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.

Reigning world champion and Red Bull superstar Verstappen had a race to forget as he made a rare mistake, which dropped him down to 10th place before he recovered to finish fifth.

The Dutchman will be looking for a much cleaner weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, but has been handed a major blow.

Max Verstappen is chasing his fifth Formula 1 world title. Image: Getty

Verstappen will not have his long-term race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

As reported by Dutch F1 journalist Erik van Haren, who wrote: "Just like in Austria, Gianpiero Lambiase will be absent this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps due to personal circumstances.

"Simon Rennie will replace him again as Max Verstappen's race engineer."

Simon Rennie's debut as Verstappen's race engineer at the Austrian Grand Prix was short-lived after the Red Bull star saw his race end during the opening lap.

Heading into Turn 3, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli locked up, causing him to hit Verstappen, putting both cars out of the race.

On Friday, during the only practice session at Spa, Verstappen managed to split the McLarens as he finished second, 0.414 seconds behind Piastri and 0.100 seconds ahead of Norris.

This week, all the headlines were dominated by Red Bull after the shock exit of Christian Horner, who was replaced by Laurent Mekies after 20 years at the helm.

Max Verstappen and new Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies. Image: Getty

What has Max Verstappen said about Christian Horner's exit?

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Verstappen was asked whether Horner's exit could impact his future.

He said: "I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future.

"The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it, really."