Max Verstappen flags serious RB22 problems after poor Silverstone qualifying and race retirement

Max Verstappen qualified seventh for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, two places behind rookie teammate Isack Hadjar, after describing the Red Bull RB22 as lacking balance and straight‑line speed. He said the car’s performance was “very, very poor” and that “two problems” – poor aerodynamics on the straights and insufficient power – made the circuit unforgiving.

During the sprint race Verstappen finished sixth, but in the main Grand Prix he spun off at Stowe on the final laps after the rear wing failed to close properly. The incident left him in the gravel and forced his retirement. He called the wing “super dangerous” and said “I could have hurt myself” and that he was “completely done” with the situation.

Verstappen’s comments included the German phrase “Peinlich, schlecht” (embarrassing, bad). Team principal Christian Horner expressed solidarity, while Red Bull technical director Laurent Mekies pledged a full investigation of the rear‑wing issue and other reliability concerns. The driver’s lead in the World Championship, 22 points over Charles Leclerc, is now at risk as rivals close the gap.

The technical failures at Silverstone have raised questions about Red Bull’s ability to maintain its dominance this season and could influence Verstappen’s title defence and potential team changes.