The 2025 British Grand Prix weekend kicked off with a frustrating start for reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, as he grappled with significant performance issues in his Red Bull RB21 during Friday’s free practice sessions at Silverstone. The Dutch driver, known for his composure and ability to extract the maximum from his machinery, was visibly exasperated, describing the day as “quite a bad day” due to persistent balance problems and a lack of pace that left him trailing the frontrunners.
In Free Practice 1 (FP1), Verstappen could only manage a disappointing 10th place, over half a second off the pace set by home hero Lewis Hamilton, who topped the session with a lap time of 1:26.892. The Red Bull RB21 struggled particularly in high-speed corners, with Verstappen reporting severe understeer that made cornering “very difficult.” By Free Practice 2 (FP2), he improved to fifth, but remained nearly half a second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who set the benchmark with a 1:25.816. Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, fared even worse, finishing 15th in FP2 after missing FP1 due to Red Bull Junior driver Arvid Lindblad taking his seat. The team’s struggles were evident, with both drivers unable to find a competitive setup.
“For me personally, it was quite a bad day,” Verstappen told the media post-session. “Just no balance in the car. It was very difficult to corner as well, so quite a poor day for us in general.” He highlighted the RB21’s sensitivity to Silverstone’s gusty conditions, noting that while wind affected all teams, Red Bull’s car seemed particularly unsettled. “The wind has a big impact, but that’s not an excuse because everybody has to deal with it,” he added, acknowledging the universal challenge but underscoring his team’s specific woes.
The RB21’s issues are not new. Verstappen revealed that balance problems from the 2024 season have carried over, hampering the car’s development. Despite a late-season resurgence last year, including a standout win in Brazil, Red Bull lost the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren and continues to trail in 2025. The team introduced a new floor upgrade in Austria, but its impact has been minimal, as evidenced by Verstappen’s early retirement in that race after a collision with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. His father, Jos Verstappen, publicly criticized Red Bull’s performance, stating, “The update that Red Bull brought doesn’t make that much of a difference,” adding fuel to speculation about his son’s future with the team.
Friday’s sessions saw McLaren and Ferrari dominate, with Norris and Hamilton looking sharp, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also showed strong pace. Verstappen’s struggles were particularly stark in comparison, as the McLaren and Ferrari cars appeared to glide effortlessly through Silverstone’s demanding corners. Red Bull’s Christian Horner admitted Verstappen was battling understeer, a recurring issue that plagued the team’s performance in both low-fuel and high-fuel runs. “The car is getting worse as the season progresses,” one fan posted on X, reflecting the growing discontent among Red Bull supporters.
Verstappen’s frustration was palpable over team radio, where he exclaimed “Unbelievable” after grappling with the RB21’s handling in FP1. The car’s narrow operating window, especially under braking and during rapid direction changes, has been a persistent headache. Despite these challenges, Verstappen remained pragmatic, noting, “Looking to tomorrow, we can analyze our data and try to look at what we can do to improve, but I think overall we have just been lacking a bit of performance.”
The Dutchman’s struggles come amid swirling rumors about his future. With Red Bull underperforming and McLaren holding a clear edge—evidenced by their 207-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship and Oscar Piastri’s 61-point advantage over Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings—speculation about a potential move to Mercedes in 2026 has intensified. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has openly courted Verstappen, and while Red Bull’s Horner insists Verstappen intends to stay until his contract ends in 2028, the driver’s refusal to fully commit has kept the rumor mill churning.
Despite the gloom, there is hope for Red Bull. The team’s engineers worked overnight to address the RB21’s balance issues, experimenting with a low-downforce rear wing setup for Saturday’s sessions. This adjustment proved effective, as Verstappen stunningly claimed pole position in qualifying, edging out McLaren’s Piastri and Norris with a lap time of 1:24.892. Team principal Horner praised the engineering team’s efforts, stating, “They’ve worked hard on the car,” while Verstappen credited the turnaround to a “flawless” final Q3 lap.
However, Friday’s struggles underscored the challenges Red Bull faces in maintaining its competitive edge. Verstappen’s ability to pull a “rabbit out of the hat,” as one report described, highlights his exceptional talent, but the team’s inconsistent performance raises questions about its ability to challenge McLaren and Ferrari consistently. As the British Grand Prix race looms, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can sustain Saturday’s recovery or if Verstappen’s frustrations will resurface on race day.
With Silverstone’s high-speed layout theoretically suiting Red Bull’s strengths, the team’s inability to capitalize in practice sessions was a wake-up call. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, with some on X calling for changes in team leadership to restore Red Bull’s dominance. For now, Verstappen’s pole offers a glimmer of hope, but the road ahead remains uncertain for the Milton Keynes squad.
