Marko debunks 'Verstappen rumour': 'Did you see how he got out?'

23 March 2023 at 08:21

Last update 23 March 2023 at 08:46

GPblog.com

Helmut Marko stands up for Max Verstappen after he allegedly left 'angry' after qualifying. According to Marko, Verstappen was not angry at all and the team advisor also addresses the discussion surrounding the Dutchman's fastest lap.

For Verstappen, Saturday in Saudi Arabia did not go as desired. The Dutchman faced problems in Q2, forcing him to start from P15 on Sunday. Verstappen saw Sergio Perez take pole and reportedly left the track in Jeddah 'angrily' even before Red Bull Racing's team briefing.

Verstappen was ill

However, Marko now leaves at OE24 that the facts are different. ''Max had just gotten over a bad flu. Did you see what he looked like when he got out? It really didn't go well for him. He wanted to go to bed as soon as possible,'' the Austrian explained.

On Sunday, Verstappen also caused some controversy by going for the fastest lap on the final lap. On board radios, both Verstappen and Perez can be heard asking for the fastest lap, but only Verstappen really seems to be going for it. Like Christian Horner, Marko also saw that Perez did make an attempt, but failed.

''Five laps before the end it was said that they were allowed to drive at full speed. Friend Perez is also a good tactician, he also tried to set the fastest lap at the end but had a hacker in the first sector and that was it,'' Marko concluded.