Max Verstappen voices 'concerning' Red Bull reality

Max Verstappen has addressed his "concerning" lack of pace during the British Grand Prix after struggling to work his way through the pack.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion spun at the second safety car restart during the race at Silverstone, after Oscar Piastri's sudden heavy braking caused confusion.

When the Australian did put his foot down to recommence proceedings, Verstappen misjudged the exit of Stowe, plummeting down the order. Once there, he was unable to get past those ahead, despite a high-speed, low-downforce set-up on his RB21.

In the difficult, changeable conditions, that approach denied the Red Bull driver stability and balance in his car, rendering any top-speed advantage redundant.

When recounting his eventful race, which ultimately culminated in a fifth-place finish, the 27-year-old also highlighted the vastly superior tyre management of McLaren, having been fighting with Lando Norris before his spin.

"To be honest, I didn't know what to expect, but it was just very difficult from lap 1 onwards," he told media, including RacingNews365.

"Very difficult balance in the car between high speed and low speed. I couldn't really find a good balance.

"Also on the inters [intermediate tyre], I think we're degrading the tyres too much, especially compared to McLaren, they were again on a different level.

"And then I had, of course, my moment, which made everything a bit more difficult. But even when I was behind, like P10 or whatever I was in, I also didn't really have the pace to move forward, which was a bit concerning."

Silver lining to a dark cloud

Despite a disappointing result after starting the race on pole, Verstappen was keen to acknowledge the good work from his team.

He pointed out the "right calls" being made, something he felt maximised the outcome, all things considered.

"But then again, we made the right calls, stayed calm, stayed out as long as we could with the inters," the 65-time grand prix winner added.

"And that was, again, the right call, so we ended up fifth, which I think, in hindsight, looking at it, is probably the best we could have done after all the things that happened during the race."