Verstappen Secures Second Place at Spanish Grand Prix, Admits Red Bull Lacks Race-Winning Pace
Max Verstappen extracted the maximum possible result from the inaugural Formula 1 race at the Madring circuit in Madrid, claiming his fifth podium finish in seven race weekends. The Dutch driver finished second behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, a result the four-time world champion admitted was better than his car’s performance deserved.
Verstappen: “We Maximised the Result” Despite Pace Deficit
Speaking in the post-race press conference, Verstappen was candid about Red Bull’s competitive position relative to the frontrunners.
“We maximised the result and probably had a bit of luck with, of course, the unlucky situation for Lando [Norris, who missed the opportunity to pit under the VSC]. I didn’t have the pace of Kimi and I definitely did not have the pace of Lando,”
Verstappen said.
“So yeah, we’re here on the podium and I think that’s great, but we still lack a little bit to really fight for the win.”
Early Race Controversy: Giving Back Positions to Hamilton
The result raises questions about whether Verstappen could have challenged for victory had he not surrendered positions in the opening laps. The Red Bull driver was instructed by race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to return a place to Lewis Hamilton. With Antonelli sandwiched between them, the directive effectively cost Verstappen two positions.
Verstappen expressed frustration over team radio but acknowledged the strategic necessity of compliance.
“Yeah, what am I supposed to do? If they tell me that I have to do it, then I will do it,”
the Dutchman said.
“If I hadn’t done that, then I would have received a penalty. No chance.”
Despite complying, Verstappen maintains his maneuver was justified. He explained that Hamilton lost control of his car over the kerbstones, forcing Verstappen off track to avoid a collision.
“I would have had damage at the start if I would have stayed on track, so then the win was also not on. It’s as simple as that,”
Verstappen explained.
“I just did my own thing in Turn 1, but Lewis went for a move on the first two [drivers] and bottomed out on the kerb. He just jumped back onto the track and that’s why I had to go off the road.”
“If I would have stayed there, I would have definitely had contact. Then my race could potentially have been over in Turn 2, and that’s why I think I’m happy to be where we are now.”
Red Bull “Slightly Overperforming” Relative to Pure Pace
Verstappen assessed that second place was the realistic ceiling for his machinery, suggesting that on pure pace, a low podium finish was more representative.
“We sometimes profit a little bit from some misfortune of others, but we are also trying to really maximise and sometimes, maybe, yes, slightly overperform. And that’s good,”
he said.
“That is the only thing that we can do at the moment. Now we rely on making our package, our overall package, a little bit stronger to really be in a potential fight for the win.”
Closing-Stage Battle “Misleading,” Verstappen Says
Although Verstappen ran within a second of race leader Antonelli for several laps in the closing stages, he dismissed the appearance of a genuine fight for victory.
“It might have looked a little bit like we were in a fight for the win, but that was more because Kimi was getting held up by Charles.”
“As soon as he had clean air, he just drove away from me again and I was busy with Lando behind me. But around here, if you just drive a little bit in the middle, then yeah, you can’t pass.”
Development Constraints and 2027 Focus
Red Bull’s ability to close the performance gap is limited by budget cap restrictions. Team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that the financial regulations prevent maintaining the aggressive development rate seen in the first half of the season.
Verstappen confirmed that while some updates will still be introduced for the 2026 car, the organization’s primary engineering focus has already shifted toward the 2027 regulation cycle.
