Verstappen Voices Discontent After British GP Practice; Horner Addresses Performance Concerns
Max Verstappen’s Friday practice sessions at the British Grand Prix presented a challenging landscape for the Red Bull Racing team. The reigning world champion expressed disappointment, calling it a “bad day” as the team struggled to match the pace set by McLaren.
In the first session, Verstappen clocked in at 10th, improving to fifth in the second. Despite the upward movement, he lamented, “Just no balance in the car… quite a poor day I think for us in general.”
The wind conditions at Silverstone proved problematic, with Verstappen acknowledging their impact but refusing to use them as an excuse. “A lot [of difficulty],” he admitted. “But that’s of course not an excuse because everyone has to deal with that.” He echoed concerns about the car’s performance, stating, “we’re just lacking a bit of performance.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reassured media that improvements are on the horizon. He highlighted ongoing investments, including a new wind tunnel expected in the next year. “We’ve got great strength in depth in the team, and for sure you’re always looking at where we can be better,” he asserted.
On specific issues, Horner noted, “We’ve got some understeer in the car that we just need to tidy up.” He indicated that tuning adjustments could enhance performance, especially citing lost lap time in Turns 6 and 7 due to the car’s handling in windy conditions.
As speculation regarding Verstappen’s future with Red Bull continues, particularly regarding potential interest from Mercedes for the 2026 season, Horner remained noncommittal yet optimistic about retaining the star driver. “I’m comfortable with the situation,” he stated.
The team will look to capitalize on the long-run pace displayed in practice as they prepare for qualifying and the race weekend ahead.
