Regardless of which, he was sceptical about how that might translate into next Sunday\u2019s race. \u201cI love the track but I did a few laps on the simulator, I just started laughing,\u201d he said. \u201cIt felt like a different track to be honest. You barely have battery around the lap. It\u2019s just constantly flat. So yes, it\u2019s going to feel very different compared to what we are used to around Silverstone, because of the layout of the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Austria you have long straights and big braking zones, so you can charge the battery. There [at Silverstone] you have long straights but in a fast corner for example you can\u2019t really charge the batteries, and then the next straight you don\u2019t have a lot to spend. It\u2019s going to be a tough one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Verstappen, like most drivers from the grid, has been a vocal critic of the current engine formula, which places an emphasis on energy management with an almost 50-50 split between power from the internal combustion engine and the electrical battery and hybrid unit. The system makes some tracks where energy recovery is scarce, frustrating for those who cannot drive flat-out as they would like. The Dutchman fears Silverstone, with its long straights, fast corners and few heavy braking areas, will be punishing.<\/p>\n
However Lewis Hamilton, fifth in Austria after Ferrari had a disappointing weekend but who did enjoy a feisty scrap with Verstappen, was nonetheless impressed by Red Bull<\/a>, deeming them genuine contenders and noting how the team had both shed the car\u2019s excess weight and developed it strongly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe weight that they dropped from the car is huge,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s showing that they\u2019ve got a good car. Then they brought up lots of upgrades, so they\u2019re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the following races.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen\u2019s second place in Austria was his best result of the season and represented a real step forward for his team, who had opened the year off the pace and struggling for both grip and balance. They might expect to show good form at the British GP but if they are once more struggling for power it could instead prove to be a frustrating weekend for the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n Nonetheless the Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, remained enormously positive at the strides his team had made across the opening eight rounds.<\/p>\n
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