Photo credit: www.motorsport.com

Max Verstappen’s Penalty Sparks Debate After Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Following the recent Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a significant point of discussion has emerged surrounding Max Verstappen’s penalty for overtaking Oscar Piastri off the track. Verstappen contended that he was forced off the track and was entitled to racing space from the polesitter. In light of these developments, Motorsport.com spoke with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to gain insights on the situation and its implications for the team.

Marko’s Perspective on the Penalty

What are your thoughts on the penalty given to Max Verstappen?

Helmut Marko: I believe it was a racing incident. If you observed the F2 race, similar situations occurred several times, yet only [Luke] Browning received a warning—no one else was penalized with five seconds. This incident unfolded in the first lap and first corner, so to me, it was a clear racing incident.

Team Strategy Post-Penalty

Did the team consider relinquishing the position to fight for a better outcome?

Overtaking is nearly impossible here; we observed that opportunities arose mainly through pit stops and navigating traffic. So, our strategy was focused on maximizing chances by staying out on the track.

Do you believe that this moment effectively cost Max the race?

Yes, it did.

Under different circumstances, would he have won?

Max certainly had the pace, and notably, our tires performed excellently without any degradation throughout the race.

Unexpected Race Pace

Were you taken aback by the race pace? Max had indicated post-qualifying that he expected less performance over race distance.

We were indeed surprised, but it was a welcome surprise—both on the medium and hard tire compounds.

What does this performance indicate about your progress? Is it due to the track being more favorable to the RB21 compared to Bahrain?

We made substantial progress compared to Bahrain, but it’s worth noting that this circuit aligns better with our car’s strengths, particularly with its faster corners. We are advancing, developing a more predictable vehicle that operates well across a broader range.

Will the upgrades continue with future races in Miami and Imola?

Yes, we will introduce incremental upgrades. By the time we reach Imola, I anticipate that we will have the competitive edge to challenge the McLarens.

Reflections on Verstappen’s Performance

How did you gauge Max’s start during the race?

I was disappointed, though not entirely surprised.

Indeed, starting is typically one of Max’s strong suits.

The start did not go as planned, particularly in the second phase where he slipped back. Nonetheless, he did manage to brake late and regain position.

Max displayed significant frustration after the race. Was that understandable?

Absolutely; it was evident he had the potential to win, and that was quite clear.

Insights on Yuki Tsunoda

What are your thoughts on Yuki Tsunoda’s encounter with Pierre Gasly? That appeared to be a racing incident.

It was indeed a racing incident—unfortunate for him because he was on track for points, but that’s the nature of racing.

Despite this, Tsunoda’s performance throughout the weekend was encouraging, wasn’t it?

In free practice, he struggled to match the pace of others, perhaps losing a couple of tenths. In qualifying, he tends to overdrive, but overall, he is progressing and has the potential to score the points our team needs.

What areas does he need to work on?

He needs to improve his delivery under pressure during qualifying sessions.

How is your second team, Racing Bulls, performing?

They showed promise; however, Isack Hadjar was quicker, and overtaking proved impossible. When tire performance is similar, opportunities for overtaking diminish greatly.

Looking Ahead to Miami

Returning to Red Bull Racing, do you feel hopeful for the Miami race, considering the usual heat and McLaren’s strong performance in FP3?

The race won’t occur at peak daytime temperatures, as the sun will have set by then. We believe we can present competitive performances in Miami.

Source
www.motorsport.com