Max Verstappen after crashing out of P3: “Bloody car! Rubbish! Unbelievable …”

Max Verstappen fought like a lion against his rivals at the traditional Grand Prix – no wonder, given that the Dutch national animal is emblazoned on the top of his helmet.

At one point, the FIA had to investigate because the four-time champion had put up a rather robust defence against Hamilton, but the stewards decided it wasn’t worthy of a penalty.

The penalty came in another form: an outcry from the fans, Verstappen in the gravel on lap 48 and out – safety car! This crash was the reason why Ferrari squandered their chance of a first Ferrari one-two at Silverstone since the Schumacher/Barrichello era.

This was because Ferrari brought both drivers into the pits for fresh tyres, whilst George Russell remained out on track; and as the safety car period lasted right until the finish, Hamilton, on his new tyres, no longer had a chance of catching Russell.

Verstappen fumed over the radio: “I’m stuck in the gravel. Damn this car! Bloody hell! Unbelievable. What a load of rubbish!”

Initial footage showed the rear end sliding out as he turned in; everything pointed to the rear wing closing too late, just as had happened during Verstappen’s crash in the Austrian qualifying session.

Shortly afterwards, this was confirmed by Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies: “We had a problem with the rear wing. That’s down to us. It’s very frustrating because things were going much better in the race than in qualifying.”

So instead of a third podium finish (following P3 in Canada and P2 in Austria), it was a race without points due to a broken car. This is all the more frustrating because Max’s pace in the Grand Prix was considerably better than in qualifying (where he started in 7th place).

Verstappen after the chaotic British Grand Prix: “It was just like in qualifying in Austria. Again, the rear wing didn’t close properly. The specific cause was different, but ultimately the effect was the same. That shouldn’t happen.”

“It annoys me that we’re far too slow and, on top of that, we’re having problems like this. We could call it a disaster, but it’s just rubbish. I’m totally dissatisfied.”

“We’re too slow, the car’s balance wasn’t good, I couldn’t turn in sharply, I couldn’t attack – another painful weekend.”

“And let’s be honest: I was only in third place because of penalties, safety cars and virtual safety cars. If I’d managed to bring home that third place, it would have left a bitter aftertaste, because we didn’t deserve it.”