Max Verstappen has warned that Silverstone could expose the current Formula 1 energy formula, turning this weekend’s British Grand Prix into a major test of Red Bull’s Austrian Grand Prix progress.
The Red Bull driver finished second behind George Russell at the Red Bull Ring, his best result of the 2026 season, after the team brought a substantial upgrade package to Austria. But Verstappen has already shifted the focus to Silverstone, where the 3-5 July sprint weekend gives teams little room to hide.
Verstappen said simulator running left him laughing at how different Silverstone felt under the present power-unit rules, with limited heavy braking zones making battery recovery difficult. He argued that drivers would spend much of the lap short of deployment, with the Guardian reporting his warning that the circuit may be a tough fit for the current engine package.
Red Bull face a clean Silverstone audit
That matters because Austria suggested Red Bull had finally moved closer to Mercedes and Ferrari on race pace. Laurent Mekies described the team as within striking range after earlier deficits, while Lewis Hamilton also noted the step from Red Bull’s upgrades and weight reduction.
Silverstone is a harsher audit. Its long, fast corners reward balance, but the limited braking phases can punish cars that cannot recharge and deploy cleanly. If Verstappen is right, Red Bull’s upgraded RB22 may arrive improved but still strategically exposed.
For Mercedes, that turns Russell’s Austrian win into more than a standalone result. For Red Bull, it makes Friday practice a live verdict on whether their recovery is real or track-specific.
