Verstappen takes pole, BBQ, and sense of relief at Red Bull.

      "This pole position is beneficial for the atmosphere."

      With a surprising pole position and a barbecue at the boss’s house, Max Verstappen’s relationship with Red Bull seems to be back on track. For the four-time world champion, the last two weeks have been filled with intense speculation regarding exit clauses related to performance and confirmed discussions with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. On Friday at Silverstone, Verstappen described the handling of his challenging 2025 car as "unbelievable" – and not in a good way. "I was experiencing a lot of understeer, but at the same time, I was also having oversteer in certain areas," the 27-year-old explained. Team principal Christian Horner, who has acknowledged issues with some of the team's "tools" multiple times recently, stated that the car often hits the track with a drastically incorrect setup. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Red Bull made significant adjustments to Verstappen’s setup, notably reducing downforce which led to the fastest top speed in the field. The McLarens, both starting behind Verstappen on the grid for the British GP, may find it hard to overtake on Sunday. "Honestly, right now, our DRS speed is probably just about on par with Max’s speed," remarked Lando Norris. However, it wasn't solely about the setup. "He is capable of anything," McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised after observing Verstappen’s pole lap. "He can do anything." Even Fernando Alonso, who a few days ago claimed he used to be "the best" on the grid, when asked about the 27-year-old Dutchman, stated: "Max is the best. He hasn’t won as frequently here as (Lewis) Hamilton, but I think he’s the best. When he has a car that’s competitive, you know he’ll be on pole." This unexpected pole position will uplift both Verstappen and Red Bull amidst the swirling rumors concerning the quadruple world champion’s future. "In my opinion, for Max, there is only one important factor in making a decision," Dutch GP chief Jan Lammers told De Telegraaf on Saturday. "‘Will this make me happier or not?’" Lammers doubts that Verstappen is seeking an adventure akin to Hamilton's. "He has established a unique position for himself," he noted. "I can’t envision him wanting to embark on an adventure full of uncertainties and potentially end up in a situation like Hamilton at Ferrari. I still believe that Red Bull is the team he feels he can win races with. That’s what matters to him. The entire Formula 1 environment, with all its facets, isn’t for him. I think he will only switch teams if he believes there’s a better chance for success than what he currently has at Red Bull," Lammers added. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher agreed that moving to Mercedes would be a "big risk" for Hamilton. "Red Bull is a team structured around Max, just like Mercedes was around Hamilton, so that transition poses a significant risk," he told Sky Deutschland. "He would have to relinquish all the benefits he enjoys at Red Bull. As a driver, as long as you feel secure, you don't want to switch. It’s an emotional rollercoaster for Max right now because he sees that even at Mercedes, things are occasionally just average." For Red Bull advisor and Verstappen’s long-time mentor Dr. Helmut Marko, the pole at Silverstone was a tangible relief. "This pole position is good for the atmosphere," he acknowledged. "We’re going to Horner’s for a barbecue tonight," the 82-year-old smiled.