Verstappen urges Red Bull to learn from the difficult Spielberg race

Following the difficult Austrian Grand Prix, runaway championship leader Max Verstappen urged Red Bull to learn from the issues that led to the disastrous end of the Spielberg race.

Max Verstappen dominated much of last weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, setting the benchmark in the sprint and main qualifying, winning the sprint race and holding a comfortable lead in the race.

However, a slow pit stop saw the Dutchman lose his advantage and a mistake on his out-lap meant that McLaren's Lando Norris completely closed in on him.

The Briton was adamant to capitalize on the opportunity, and with getting within DRS range, he attempted multiple overtaking manoeuvres. The pair eventually came together on Lap 64 at the Red Bull Ring when Verstappen moved slightly to the left to fend off the attack from Norris.

The incident saw both drivers pick up punctures as Norris was forced out of the race due to the damage he sustained. Although Verstappen was able to continue, he only finished fifth.

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, the championship runaway leader stressed that Red Bull will need to sort out mistakes that led to the close fight in the dying minutes of the Austrian Grand Prix.

"It is another home race for the Team, so we want to make everyone at home back in the factory proud this weekend. Austria ended up not being the result that we were hoping for and there were a lot of things to take away from the race that myself and the Team can really analyse and work to improve on.

"There were some mistakes in the race that really cost us, however, we have to look at the good moments that we had throughout the weekend, including winning the Sprint and being on pole twice. We are analysing what we did right as well as what went wrong and it is the last race of a very busy triple header, so we want to come back fighting in Silverstone.

"This will be a special race, with a new customised livery on the car. We want to come back stronger and are ready for the weekend in Silverstone, especially as it is the Team’s 20th year, which marks a celebration for us,"

His team-mate Sergio Pérez had another difficult weekend at Spielberg, as he struggled for pace both in qualifying and race trim. He was unable to keep up with his team-mate, and the McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes drivers also proved to be quicker than the Mexican.

Speaking of this weekend's Silverstone round, the six-time F1 race winner said: "Austria was very disappointing; performance was impacted from early on due to significant damage and that compromised my race, it was not an ideal weekend.

"We had made some good improvements from Saturday to Sunday, so it was frustrating to not be able to see that on track. We have worked to analyse things, to ensure we have the pace at Silverstone, across the whole weekend.

"In the Team’s 20th year in the sport the British GP will be a special race for us all, we are so close to the factory and the homes of everyone who work and contributes to Oracle Red Bull Racing and our incredible success.

"We have a special livery for this race, the car looks extra special and I want to make sure I honour it with a better result, returning to the form we should be in," said the Mexican.