Max Verstappen described his opening day at the British Grand Prix as a “bad day” after Red Bull encountered difficulties in both practice runs at Silverstone. The Dutch driver finished tenth in the first session and improved to fifth in the second, yet found himself trailing behind teams like McLaren and Ferrari as they displayed stronger pace.
Despite ongoing questions about his future beyond this season, Verstappen’s immediate focus is regaining the winning form that has eluded him since the Imola race. Achieving this will require significant improvements from Red Bull to enhance the car’s performance during the rest of the weekend.
Struggle with Car Balance and Wind Issues Impact Performance
Discussing his day behind the wheel, Verstappen admitted the car lacked balance, which made it difficult to navigate corners efficiently. He said,
“For me personally, it was quite a bad day,”
followed by,
“Just no balance in the car. It’s very difficult corner to corner as well. So quite a poor day, I think, for us.”
—Max Verstappen
Strong winds affected all drivers during both sessions, with Carlos Sainz among those struggling with the challenging conditions. However, Verstappen was quick to dismiss weather as a reason for Red Bull’s shortcomings, emphasizing the wind’s equal impact on the entire field. He explained,
[The wind affects] a lot. Of course, not an excuse, because everyone has to deal with that, right? So it’s not easy, but same for everyone.
He added that the car’s sensitivity to wind created particular issues at Silverstone, marking a departure from some other races.
“Every weekend is different. Different scenarios. Right now, with the wind around here, it seems like our car is quite sensitive to it. But in general, it’s not been an easy day.”
Verstappen also acknowledged ongoing work to resolve the problems, explaining,
A few [things] that we’ll look at. But I think overall, it was just lacking a bit of performance.
—Max Verstappen
Team Insights Highlight Progress and Remaining Issues
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko offered a cautiously optimistic view, noting progress between the two sessions and the potential to close the gap with McLaren. He said the team managed a “big step” from the first to the second practice, but still needs to correct significant understeer affecting two or three corners on the circuit.
The long-run pace appeared more encouraging, suggesting the potential for better competitiveness if the underlying issues are fixed. Marko remarked,
“We are losing three-tenths only in Sector 2 and that is in two or three corners. So, that’s the understeer.”
—Helmut Marko
Implications for Red Bull and Verstappen’s Weekend Prospects
Red Bull’s struggles in early practice sessions signal a tough path ahead for Verstappen at Silverstone. The inability to find the right balance and reduce understeer hampers the team’s chances to challenge McLaren, Ferrari, and others on a track where precise handling is crucial.
As the weekend progresses, the team’s efforts to adjust the car and adapt to the windy conditions will be key to improving results. Verstappen’s candid admission of a “bad day” underscores the urgency for quick technical fixes to restore competitiveness and rekindle his bid for victory in the British Grand Prix.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have announced the birth of their baby right before the Miami Grand Prix. They shared that they have welcomed a baby girl as their first child together.
