Verstappen 'Just Started Laughing' at Silverstone Simulation

Max Verstappen has warned this weekend's British Grand Prix could deliver the sternest test yet for Formula 1's 2026 regulations, admitting a recent simulator session left him laughing at how the track has changed under the new rules.

The Red Bull driver explained that Silverstone's high-speed layout creates a severe energy headache. Unlike Austria's long straights and heavy braking zones that recharge the battery, Silverstone's flat-out corners prevent recovery. That leaves drivers with barely any electrical deployment for subsequent straights, forcing an unnatural driving style.

Why it matters:

The 2026 rules have drawn criticism for prioritizing energy conservation over racing. If Silverstone—a crown jewel known for flat-out commitment—becomes a lift-and-coast exercise, it risks exposing the regulation's biggest flaw on one of the calendar's most celebrated layouts.

The details:

• Simulator shock: Verstappen said he "just started laughing" during his Silverstone sim run, describing the circuit as feeling "like a different track" with barely any battery available per lap.
• Throttle behaviour: Drivers are forced to stay flat on the throttle not by choice, but because there is no electrical energy to deploy out of high-speed corners like Maggotts and Becketts.
• Circuit contrast: Monaco and Austria proved manageable thanks to slower corners and big braking zones. Silverstone offers few such opportunities across its long, high-speed sections.
• Previous warnings: Verstappen previously called the 2026 cars "anti-racing" and highlighted similar battery depletion struggles at Albert Park and Suzuka.

What's next:

Despite Red Bull's encouraging pace in Austria, Verstappen remains cautious. He sits seventh in the standings, 98 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, and knows the RB22 faces a very different challenge. The Dutchman expects a tough weekend where energy strategy could dictate the result.