Max to start British GP from P7: 'It just didn't work'

Published on 04 July 2026 by Florence Cobben

After Max Verstappen came across the line in sixth for this week's sprint race, the four-time world champion only managed to qualify for sixth place for the upcoming British Grand Prix. On the 5.891 meter long Silverstone circuit, it was Kimi Antonelli in his Mercedes who claimed pole, followed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the Ferraris on P2 and P3. George Russell in the Mercedes and Max’s Red Bull Racing-teammate Isack Hadjar completed the top five.

“It just didn't work,” Max admits honestly after qualifying. “On one hand there’s just no balance in the car, but on the other hand we're slow on the straights. Somehow on my side of the garage we're slower everywhere. If you're slow on the straights, you use your battery more — you especially see that in the final sector. At some point you have no battery left and it all doesn't work anymore.''

When it comes to what this means for his future prospects, Max doesn’t hold back: “There's a problem within the engine that we can't find. That also leaves me a question mark for tomorrow with what we should do. Because this is pointless.”

At the start of Q1, the doctor prescribed a perfect 25°C day — sunshine included, with a side of wind. As the light at the end of the pit lane goes green, both Cadillacs, Haas’, Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll head out onto the race track. During his first attempt lapping the field, Russell leaves the track and makes light contact with the wall. He returns to the pits. As the first session enters its second phase, Max is seventh with a time set on a pair of used soft tyres. In the danger zone are Russell, both Cadillacs, both Aston Martins, and Gabriel Bortoleto in the Audi.

Russell bounces back and puts in a lap that delivers him of the danger zone, while Hadjar climbs to P1 ahead of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari. As the flag falls on Q1, Hadjar is fastest ahead of Liam Lawson, while Esteban Ocon, both Cadillac drivers, both Aston Martins and Franco Colapinto are free to hit the showers.

Max and Hadjar head out in Q2 on a set of used tyres. Max reports problems with his engine: “Yeah, this engine is not responding normal.” He nevertheless gets on his way with his first lap. After a couple of drivers have put in their first runs it’s Hamilton, Russell and Antonelli in the top three, while Max languishes in fifth, and Nico Hulkenberg, both Williams drivers, Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly and Oscar Piastri are at risk of elimination.

Max starts his second run in Q2, but the outcome doesn’t promote him from fifth-fastest. When Hadjar manages to improve on his time, Max chimes in on the team radio: “Ah, this is... what a disaster. Unbelievable.” As the session draws to a close, it’s Antonelli at the front of the pack and Max sixth, while the Williams drivers, Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Bortoleto and Hülkenberg are eliminated.

At the start of Q3, the entire field is immediately on track, excepting Arvid Lindblad in the Racing Bulls. After Max’s first run he’s in sixth, while the top three is made up of Antonelli, Russell and Hamilton.

Antonelli is first to the bat to make his final bid for pole. The young Italian puts in an impressive lap. Leclerc, Hamilton, and all the other drivers don’t manage to make a dent in his claim on pole position. Max ends the session in a disappointing seventh, while Hadjar manages an impressive P5.

Results qualifying Great Britain: