A bit sarcastic, Max Verstappen warned that the Belgian Grand Prix would have a very different flavor this season, due to the expected energy management on the most beautiful circuit in the world.
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After being able to fight for victory in Austria, Verstappen and Red Bull failed to play leading roles at Silverstone.
The four-time world champion even left the British Grand Prix without scoring any points after his retirement at the end of the race.
Spa, Monza: same fight
Several drivers have already warned that the constraints related to energy management should be even more important at the Belgian Grand Prix. Asked after his misadventure at Silverstone about the upcoming races at Spa and Monza, Verstappen gave a particularly sarcastic response: “Spa and Monza are going to be great, yes,” Verstappen joked. And it’s really a shame, because Spa is obviously one of my favorite circuits. But this year, it will be very different.”
The Dutchman’s concerns are related to the characteristics of the new power units and the need to manage electrical energy on circuits with long full-throttle sections.
Verstappen’s remarks were confirmed by Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies. He hopes that the difficulties encountered at Silverstone will allow his team to progress before heading to other circuits with similar characteristics: “On this type of circuit where energy runs out, there may be some hardware limitations. But I also know that the team is extraordinary when it comes to running a car quickly. So I hope we will be in a slightly better situation at Spa. But from the circuit characteristics point of view, it should be quite similar to what we experienced here.”
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Speculations about Verstappen’s future continue
As the Belgian Grand Prix approaches, questions about Verstappen’s future at Red Bull are also intensifying. A photo recently published by De Telegraaf shows Raymond Vermeulen, the Dutch driver’s manager, with Jos Verstappen and former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko in the Netherlands.
This meeting comes as rumors about a possible departure of the four-time world champion multiply. After his retirement at Silverstone, caused by a rear wing problem on his RB22, Verstappen is now certain not to be among the top two in the championship before the summer break. He could therefore activate an exit clause in his contract with Red Bull.
The Dutchman would have until October to inform the team of his decision. Several sources in the paddock have recently mentioned the possibility of an imminent agreement between Verstappen and McLaren. However, during the British Grand Prix weekend, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said he was satisfied with his current duo, composed of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
While waiting for his future to become clearer, Verstappen is preparing to return to one of his favorite circuits. But between Red Bull’s difficulties and energy management constraints, the Dutchman fears that the usual magic of Spa-Francorchamps will be absent this year.
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