Max Verstappen described his performance during the British Grand Prix practice sessions at Silverstone as a “bad day,” revealing Red Bull’s struggle to find speed. The Dutch driver finished tenth in the first practice and improved to fifth in the second, but competitors like McLaren and Ferrari appeared stronger on the track.
Despite questions about his future, Verstappen’s immediate focus shifted to breaking his winless streak since Imola. However, achieving success depends heavily on Red Bull’s ability to enhance the car’s performance, which proved problematic in the windy conditions affecting every driver at Silverstone.
For me personally, it was quite a bad day,
Verstappen said.
Just no balance in the car. It’s very difficult corner to corner as well. So quite a poor day, I think, for us.
Challenges with Car Balance and Wind Conditions
The drivers faced challenging winds throughout Friday, impacting grip and vehicle stability, although Verstappen dismissed the weather as an excuse for his performance. He explained that while the wind affected all contenders, Red Bull’s car seemed particularly sensitive, leading to inconsistent handling in corners.
[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.
A few [things] that we’ll look at. But I think overall, it was just lacking a bit of performance.
Team Insights and Potential Improvements Ahead
Senior Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko offered a cautiously optimistic view following the two practice sessions. He acknowledged a significant step forward between FP1 and FP2 but emphasized the need to resolve understeer issues in specific corners to become competitive with leaders such as McLaren.
We made a big step from FP1 to FP2 but still, we have to find the right balance. We have to get rid of a massive understeer through two or three corners, if we can settle that.
The longer runs showed signs of promise, suggesting that if Red Bull identifies and addresses these handling problems, better results may be within reach.
We are losing three-tenths only in Sector 2 and that is in two or three corners. So, that’s the understeer.
Implications for the British Grand Prix and Verstappen’s Outlook
This difficult start to the weekend at Silverstone intensifies pressure on Verstappen and his team to adapt swiftly. The Red Bull outfit must overcome balance and aerodynamic sensitivity challenges, especially given the strong pace shown by rivals like McLaren and Ferrari. Success at the British Grand Prix could hinge on how effectively the team cures the understeer and enhances car stability through critical corners.
With Verstappen eager to end his winless run, the upcoming sessions and race day will reveal whether Red Bull’s improvements can translate into competitive lap times and a serious challenge for victory.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have shared the news that they had a baby before the Miami Grand Prix. The couple announced that they welcomed their first child, a baby girl.