Max Verstappen addressed the confusion surrounding his incidents behind the Safety Car during the British Grand Prix, clarifying that his spin was due to cold tyres rather than any actions by Oscar Piastri. The Dutch driver experienced two notable moments: overtaking Piastri behind the Safety Car and then spinning on the restart, but he says these were unrelated events caused by difficult track conditions.
The race took place at Silverstone under unexpectedly wet conditions, with Verstappen starting on pole after Red Bull chose a risky Monza-style rear wing aiming to boost speed. Despite a morning forecast predicting only a 20 percent chance of rain, heavy showers arrived and changed the track’s grip levels, impacting several drivers’ performances.
Unexpected Rain Creates Challenging Conditions at Silverstone
The weather forecast initially anticipated a dry race after morning showers, but circumstances shifted dramatically. Verstappen began the race leading on a damp track, only to be overtaken by McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris soon after the start. When the rain intensified, Red Bull opted to pit Verstappen for fresh intermediate tyres, allowing him to regain ground after rejoining the race behind Piastri.
As the Safety Car prepared to leave the track, Piastri was controlling the pack’s speed, suddenly braking hard and causing a sharp decrease in his velocity from 218 km/h to just 52 km/h. Verstappen, caught off guard, passed Piastri briefly before falling back into position for the restart. This abrupt slowdown caused confusion among drivers and added pressure during a critical stage of the race.
Cold Tyres and Car Setup Contributed to Verstappen’s Difficult Restart
Attempting to follow Piastri’s acceleration, Verstappen lost control at Stowe Corner and spun, dropping from second place to tenth. He emphasized that his spin was a result of the cold RB21 tyres and the extreme aerodynamic configuration of his car, rather than Piastri’s braking.
“Not with that wing!” Verstappen told the media, highlighting the challenges presented by the wet conditions. “It’s unfortunately how it goes.”
When directly asked whether Piastri’s braking complicated his situation, Verstappen absolved the McLaren driver of any blame, stating,
“I don’t think so. I mean, I just tried to go on throttle, but the car has been really difficult already. Up until that point, we were just trying to find a nice rhythm, and it just caught me out on cold tyres.”
Red Bull’s Strategy and the Impact on Verstappen’s Race Result
The setup and strategy choices made by Red Bull, based on early weather forecasts, ultimately did not favor Verstappen. The team gambled on a rear wing optimized for speed, anticipating a race mostly free of rain, which left Verstappen struggling for grip as conditions worsened. Despite beginning the race from pole position, Verstappen spun and fell to tenth in the field during the restart sequence, finishing the race in fifth place.
Reflecting on the sudden weather changes, Verstappen remarked,
“The weather forecast overnight just changed a lot,”
—Max Verstappen, driver
“Last night, suddenly, yeah, it just shifted into more severe rain. That can happen.”
—Max Verstappen, driver
This unpredictable shift in weather and track conditions made an already challenging race tougher for the Red Bull driver as he seeks to close the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Championship Standings and the Road Ahead
At the halfway point of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen trails Oscar Piastri by 69 points, after a race weekend marked by unforeseen weather and strategic miscalculations. Piastri’s solid performance at Silverstone has extended his advantage in the Drivers’ Championship, while Verstappen and Red Bull must now reassess their approach as the series continues.
This incident highlights the fine margins and unpredictable nature of Formula 1, where weather and tyre temperature can dramatically influence race outcomes. Verstappen’s explanation clears the record regarding the Safety Car episode, focusing attention on technical and environmental factors rather than driver error from other competitors.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Max Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet have announced the birth of their first child, a baby girl.
Q. What is the gender of Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet have shared that they now have a baby girl named Lily. Before the end of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, they revealed they were expecting. Lily joins Piquet’s older daughter, Penelope, as the newest member of the family.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. His partner Kelly Piquet is the daughter of former racing champion Nelson Piquet. She has a daughter named Penelope from her past relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has built a strong bond with Penelope and mentioned this when people asked if fatherhood might affect his racing performance.