Ross Brawn discusses Red Bull strategy with Max Verstappen

Dominated by the Silver Arrows, now black, Max Verstappen was promised the third step of the podium at Silverstone. Having a big lead over his pursuer Charles Leclerc, the Dutchman could afford a free pit stop in order to get the best time in the race and thus an additional point.

Done. But the pilot Red Bull could have won the victory after the punctures of Valtteri Bottas et Lewis Hamilton in the last loops of the Grand Prix. Ultimately he settled for second place behind the six-time world champion. A choice contested by some but Ross Brawn defended.

« Looking at the outcome, Red Bull's decision to stop Max Verstappen on the penultimate lap cost them the victory but they couldn't have known it at the time., deplores the Motor Sports director of the F1.

From the moment Bottas put in such a slow lap and had to stop, Verstappen, who moved up to second place, was offered a free stop. I don't know if Red Bull wanted to reassure themselves because there was a tire problem or if they wanted to go for the extra point for the fastest lap, or both. ».

Unfortunately, Max Verstappen only finished five seconds behind winner Lewis Hamilton after his puncture on the last lap. A situation that the red bulls could not have predicted in advance as the race came to an end.

« I'm sure they would never have imagined for a moment that Bottas' failure at that point in the race would have happened again with Lewis so I don't think they made a bad choice. I think it's an unfortunate decision », indicated Ross Brawn who would have made the same decision if he were on the pit wall. No regrets, or almost.