Mekies Agrees with Verstappen's Frustration Over Silverstone Mishap

Max Verstappen's unexpected exit from the British Grand Prix after a dramatic spin at Stowe had the Dutch driver understandably upset. Just a week after a significant crash in Austria, Verstappen was once again let down by mechanical issues, despite running third before the mishap.

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, admitted that Verstappen had every right to be displeased. The rear wing malfunction that sent Verstappen into the gravel was a repeat of issues experienced the previous race, albeit for different technical reasons. "It's very unpleasant for drivers to be let down by the car in high-speed corners in two consecutive races," Mekies noted, acknowledging the team's obligation to address these failures.

Verstappen's radio communication made his feelings clear, and he didn't hold back after the race. "When the rear wing doesn’t close fully, you lose a lot of downforce and you spin off the track," he explained. "One time, okay, but two times… This is becoming dangerous.”

The Red Bull team, grappling with their own disappointment, understood the gravity of the situation. Mekies said, "We will put in place what is necessary for that not to happen again," emphasizing the team's commitment to resolving the issue.

The team had identified the problem from Austria, but Silverstone presented a new challenge. "We understand what happened at the Red Bull Ring," Mekies mentioned, "though today’s failure was different." Despite this, he stressed the importance of ensuring such failures don't recur.

Red Bull's innovative rear wing design, inspired by Ferrari and adopted since Miami, has been under scrutiny. Mekies confirmed that they would reassess their approach to ensure safety, although it's too early to pinpoint the root cause.

Verstappen also expressed dissatisfaction with the car's handling over the weekend, even contemplating drastic measures like changing the power unit. Mekies explained that although the balance wasn't ideal, starting from the pit lane with a better setup might not have yielded a better result.

"We knew going into the race with an imperfect balance was a risk," Mekies acknowledged. However, he noted that lessons from the day were invaluable. Verstappen's potential P3 finish before the incident underscored the complex decision-making involved.

In summary, while Verstappen's frustration is palpable, Red Bull's leadership is committed to rectifying the issues and regaining the confidence of their driver.