Helmut Marko admits error in Red Bull’s judgment for not informing Max Verstappen about Lando Norris’ track limits violation. Verstappen and Norris collided at the end of the Austrian GP, resulting in Norris retiring from the race. Norris went off track multiple times and received a five-second penalty for his actions.
Marko expressed his view that both Verstappen and Norris raced aggressively. He acknowledged that Red Bull may be at fault for not allowing Norris to pass without resistance, as they were aware of the ongoing investigation into his track limits violation. Marko believed that knowing the investigation’s outcome could have influenced their strategy.
Despite the challenges faced during the race, Marko emphasized that Red Bull managed to increase their lead in the championships. This achievement was significant for the team, and Marko saw it as a valuable lesson from the weekend.
Marko explained that there were several reasons for the defeat in the race. The second pit stop for Verstappen was unsuccessful, allowing Norris to get close enough to use DRS. Additionally, the team’s decision to use hard tires in the hot Austrian weather proved to be a mistake. These factors ultimately cost them the victory at their home event.
Furthermore, Marko noted that the temperature during the Austrian GP was lower than expected. Verstappen was racing on worn-out tires, while Norris had the advantage of fresh tires towards the end of the race. These differences in tire conditions, combined with other issues, affected Red Bull’s performance.
In conclusion, Marko highlighted that several factors contributed to the performance in the race and that they learned a valuable lesson from it. The disappointment of Red Bull fans, who showed up in large numbers to support their team at the Red Bull Ring, was evident in Max Verstappen’s performance.
