Max Verstappen voiced heavy frustration after finishing sixth in the 17-lap sprint race at Silverstone on July 4, 2026.
The Red Bull driver suffered wheelspin at the start, dropping to sixth before briefly recovering to fourth.
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Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri on lap two and George Russell on lap three, but his pace quickly faded due to severe tire degradation.
He lost the position to Russell on lap nine and was overtaken by Charles Leclerc on lap 11.
“I had wheelspin at the start. Then you have to wait until you have grip again and that is not ideal,” Verstappen said.
“Then you drive forward, but you subsequently see that we are too slow. In fast and slow corners.
We also suffered a lot from tire degradation.”
Antonelli Wins Sprint
Kimi Antonelli won the sprint for Ferrari after overtaking polesitter Lewis Hamilton on lap eight.
The 19-year-old Italian finished two seconds ahead of Hamilton, with Lando Norris taking third.
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“I knew my chance would come to overtake Hamilton,” Antonelli said. “After that moment I tried to get into my rhythm and drive the car to the finish.
Now it is a matter of staying sharp, because Lewis and Ferrari are doing an excellent job. And McLaren and Red Bull are coming too.”
Hamilton secured second but noted compromised power delivery at high-speed corners like Copse and Maggots-Becketts-Chapel. “We have to lift off the throttle there.
That makes it a completely different circuit,” he said. “I really hope they can do something about that for next year.”
Norris was satisfied with his podium finish. “It was a very good race and I am therefore satisfied.
I did not have the speed to keep up with Lewis and Kimi. But I had nice fights with the others at the beginning,” he said.
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The top eight drivers scored championship points. Qualifying for the main Grand Prix is scheduled for 5:00 PM local time.
