'Verstappen urged to leave Red Bull 'sinking ship' after British GP disaster'
Photo: Race Pictures
12:22, 06 Jul
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's Red Bull future shows no sign of going away following the British GP, where the Dutchman suffered a DNF to be denied a podium place. In the latest GPblog poll, fans have urged the four-time world champion to leave the Milton Keynes team.
Verstappen was on course to finish P3 before a Lap 48 crash at Stowe, caused, in the words of the Red Bull driver, by a "super dangerous" rear wing not fully reattaching in a similar incident to his Austrian GP Qualifying crash in the last round.
"Yeah like Austria but a different fault but lets say it had the same outcome so again, while turning into the corner, the rear wing is not fully attaching and you lose a lot of downforce with that - so spin off the track," Verstappen explained.
The 28-year-old then added: "At that point, it's super dangerous because you can really hurt yourself two times. I was lucky in Austria, I was lucky here but that's why you get really fed up with it."
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Reacting to Verstappen's criticism, Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies said the Dutchman was "right to be unhappy," adding: "It is very unusual. It is very unpleasant for drivers to be let down by the car in high speed corners in two consecutive races, let it be for two different reasons."
Verstappen's overall discontent, added to by frustrations and apparent disagreements over the set up of the RB22 prior to the British GP, has only increased speculation that the Dutchman could be on his way out of Milton Keynes.
GPblog reported immediate, high-level talks between Verstappen's management and Red Bull leadership after the British GP, with an exit clause now able to be triggered given that the four-time world champion can no longer be in the top two of the Drivers' standings heading into the summer break.
Readers urge Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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It was therefore put to GPblog readers whether or not Verstappen should stay with the Red Bull team, with what was once a dream partnership increasingly looking like a 'marriage of convenience.' It is safe to say, there has been quite the reaction.
63% of readers argue that Verstappen's 10-year stint at the Austrian team should come to an end, with only 37% believing the Dutchman should stay at a team he's been so loyal and successful with.
In the comments, however, there was a more mixed view, with one reader backing Red Bull and a team still full of talent (despite high-profile departures) to sort themselves out and give Verstappen a chance at winning once again.
Others are more sceptical though - as one reader argued it is becoming "dangerous" for Verstappen, and that he should leave what has been described as a "sinking ship." Another, however, has said the immediate post-Silverstone talks is just "posturing" on the Dutchman's side, a bid to shock Red Bull into delivering a better car for him.
Here are some of the comments:
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"Max is still the fastest guy on the grid. I think the Redbull can be sorted and he will surely be a part of the team next year. Getting rid of Horner was not too smart. Looks like the technical talent is still there without Newey but the operations side is messing up."
"It's time to leave the sinking ship I guess. This is becoming dangerous."
"What sinking ship? To be within striking distance of front runners in the first year with new engine is a great achievement. Red Bull will have other options if Max leaves. Max has a lot to lose by leaving Red Bull, not the other way around."
"Well, they don't waste any time. Looks like they are looking for any excuse to threaten Red Bull. That's all this is - posturing. 'Make me win or I'm leaving. I have to win,' or words to that effect."
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