Max Verstappen has expressed concern that this weekend's British Grand Prix may be ill-suited to the current Formula One engine regulations, arguing that Silverstone's layout will leave teams struggling for performance. The four-time world champion finished second at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, behind Mercedes' George Russell, but his Red Bull showed significantly improved form following a host of upgrades.
Verstappen's Simulator Laughter
Speaking after the Austrian race, Verstappen revealed his reaction to practicing for the British Grand Prix on a simulator. "I love the track but I did a few laps on the simulator, I just started laughing," he said. "It felt like a different track to be honest. You barely have battery around the lap. It's just constantly flat." He elaborated on the challenges posed by Silverstone's high-speed corners, which limit energy recovery compared to Austria's long straights and heavy braking zones. "In Austria you have long straights and big braking zones, so you can charge the battery. There [at Silverstone] you have long straights but in a fast corner for example you can't really charge the batteries, and then the next straight you don't have a lot to spend. It's going to be a tough one."
Engine Formula Criticisms
Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the current engine formula, which requires drivers to manage energy recovery and deployment across a nearly 50-50 split between the internal combustion engine and the electrical hybrid unit. This system makes tracks with limited braking zones frustrating for drivers who cannot drive flat-out. Silverstone, with its long straights, fast corners, and few heavy braking areas, is expected to be particularly punishing.
Red Bull's Progress and Mercedes' Strength
Despite his concerns, Verstappen's second place in Austria was his best result of the season, marking a significant step forward for Red Bull after a slow start. Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth in Austria after a disappointing Ferrari weekend, praised Red Bull's progress. "The weight that they dropped from the car is huge," Hamilton said. "It's showing that they've got a good car. Then they brought up lots of upgrades, so they're going to be a force to be reckoned with in the following races." However, Hamilton's Mercedes team has demonstrated major advantages in electrical energy recharging and deployment this season, making them strong contenders at Silverstone.
Team Principal's Optimism
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies remained positive about the team's strides. "We started the season more than a second away from the pace to win a race," he said. "The Miami package took us back to the half-a-second region and now it's great with the package we had on Sunday. We seem to be within the last tenth, certainly within striking range." The acid test will come at Silverstone, where Mercedes are expected to be enormously strong. Verstappen's concerns highlight the ongoing debate over F1's engine regulations, with many drivers sharing his frustrations about energy management at certain circuits.
