Marko defends Verstappen: 'It wasn't dangerous at all'

F1 News

8 October 2022 at 09:16
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  • GPblog.com

Helmut Marko would consider it excessive if the stewards decide to hand out a grid penalty to Max Verstappen. The Red Bull Racing driver suddenly changed line in qualifying, hindering Lando Norris. According to Marko, there was not much to it all.

"The warm-up [warming up the tyres] is the most important thing and that is different for every car. Norris caught up with Max and upset him a bit. It wasn't dangerous at all. I can't imagine there would be a penalty for that, maybe a reprimand. It was a misunderstanding," Marko is quoted by the German branch of Sky.

Grid penalty would be very harsh

The Red Bull Racing advisor would consider it unjustified if Verstappen was given a grid penalty for this offence. The main driver himself revealed the same to Viaplay. Indeed, Verstappen said he considers a penalty where he is put back in the starting grid far too severe. Christian Horner is of the same opinion.

Verstappen joined the stewards at 10:00 am local time to make a statement. Norris was also allowed to tell his side of the story during this.