F1 news: Max Verstappen delivers ‘big boost’ to Red Bull with emphatic British Grand Prix pole

Speculation on the contract is the reason why the British Grand Prix started with the name of Max Verstappen on everyone’s lips in the Paddock of Formula 1.

But his huge talent and his ability to extract the most from his racing car are the reasons why his name is on everyone’s lips, the afternoon gave way to the evening in Silverstone on Saturday.

The time of qualification for the British Grand Prix opened its doors with familiar favorites as candidates for pole position: the head of championship Oscar Piastri, the hero of the hometown Lando Norris and the winner of the British Grand Prix in 2024 Lewis Hamilton. All three showed moments of strength during the hour and as the clock checked 00:00 in the last segment of qualification, it was the name of Pitri at the top of the synchronization cards.

However, Verstappen still had a chance to answer.

And replied that he did it, moving around Silverstone with a thunderous final push that was enough to put it to the front of the field when the lights go out in the main event on Sunday.

“It was delicate with the wind,” Verstappen Trackside told Jolyon Palmer after the session.

“Throughout the qualification, he moved a little, and here with these cars, they are extremely sensitive.

“”[I] I just tried to tidy up it throughout the qualifications and this last round was quite good. This is an appropriate track in qualifying, where you have to go all over these corners, you have to be really committed and it’s really pleasant. “”

Red Bull made a configuration change to RB21 from Verstappen before Saturday, opting for a low-low-lower-lower wing which saw the Dutch driver dominate the straight lines during the qualification session on Saturday. As you can see in telemetry data, gracked with F1-TempoVerstappen was faster than Piastri on the straight lines on Saturday, especially by reaching a top speed of 324 kilometers per hour on the spot indicated in the graph, which arrives at the end of the Wellington Straight:

For comparison, Piastri’s top speed at this stage was 318 km / h, which is certainly fast, but not as fast as that of Verstappen.

“Yesterday, it was quite difficult and it didn’t look great, but the changes we made today helped a lot,” said Verstappen after the session Sky Sports F1.

“In qualification, I thought we were close but not quite in the fight before the last round when everything came together,” added Verstappen. “The balance was a little more pleasant and I could hang there, we chose a lower demotion and that we were naturally faster in the straight lines. In the corners, it was a little more difficult.”

Verstappen, however, conceded that Sunday could be more difficult given the racing pace that McLaren has shown the whole season, as well as the capacity of the Woking -based team to keep their tires in an optimal operating window longer than their rivals.

“Of course, we have to wait and see what tomorrow will do, if there is a little rain or not. I am happy of course of our qualifications, it is also a big boost for the team and [I’m] Just excited to go run tomorrow, ”said Verstappen.

“Difficult to say, but we will try,” added the driver when he was asked about the fight against Norris and Piastri.

“We are going to race, we will have fun and try as best we can.”

However, Saturday was another reminder of the magic Verstappen can deliver on the track, and why his name will always be on the lips of those of the paddock. As we have seen so many times before, when the situation calls for ultimate performance, the quadruple champion can go on the occasion.