Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is keen to “keep pushing forward” at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
Verstappen currently lies third in the drivers’ standings on 155 points with a 61-point deficit after he retired from the Austrian GP, having been spun out on the opening lap by Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli amidst rumours that he will partner the Italian next season at the Silver Arrows.
The reigning four-time champion however is keen to bounce back and has vowed to keep pushing to challenge McLaren on a weekend which could see a wet Qualifying and race.
“Austria was a weekend to forget; we were pretty unlucky and it was not the result that we wanted. However, we want to come back stronger and hopefully can analyse and find more pace in the car so we can be more competitive to head into another Team home race.
“We have been looking at what went wrong over the weekend and will do everything we can to keep pushing forward as a Team.”
Verstappen however acknowledged the importance of this effectively being a second home race for Red Bull, given that the team are based in Milton Keynes, despite being an Austrian entry, as he spoke of the track’s iconic nature and unpredictable British weather.
“Silverstone has lots of high-speed corners which are hard to overtake and it is a track with lots of history. It is always a busy one for us, with lots of events going on, but it is nice for the Team to be close to home this weekend. You never know what the weather might bring so we will see what happens.”
Verstappen though will have to contend with a teammate change for FP1 only as Arvid Lindblad makes his F1 bow at his home event as a FP1 runner, before Yuki Tsunoda returns to his cockpit for the remainder of the weekend.
Lindblad described his FP1 opportunity at just 17-years-old – after the FIA granted an age exemption due to him being under 18 years of age – as “a very special moment” in his career, whilst he will race at Silverstone in F2 with Campos this weekend.
“I am very excited to be driving during FP1, driving in an official F1 session is going to be a very special moment, it is something I have dreamt of for a long time.
“To get a first taste of F1 with Oracle Red Bull Racing as well, after being with the Junior Programme for almost five years, is really special to me.
“This is an amazing opportunity, and I am super grateful to everybody at Oracle Red Bull Racing for it. And to be making my F1 debut as a British driver, on a British track, in front of a British crowd, is going to be really amazing.”
The Brit has set himself a target of getting up to speed and maximising the data that Tsunoda can use across the rest of the weekend, whilst providing Red Bull with “a good direction” in terms of strategies and data amidst the risk of unpredictable weather.
“My aim is to get up to speed in the car really quickly, get Yuki good data to help him across the weekend, lead the Team in a good direction and try to drive quickly as well! I can’t wait to hit the track and get going.”
