Helmut Marko blames car damage for Max Verstappen’s poor performance in British GP Qualifying

Max Verstappen did not have the best of outings in the British GP qualifying session.

Helmut Marko blames car damage for Max Verstappen’s poor performance in British GP Qualifying

Helmut Marko with Max Verstappen (Image Via IMAGO)

Red Bull Technical Advisor, Helmut Marko stood behind Max Verstappen after a poor qualifying by the Dutchman in Silverstone. Verstappen set a lap time good enough for only P4 at the end of Q3 after suffering damage to the RB20 floor in Q2.

Max Verstappen has been on fine form this season, securing eight pole positions across 11 races and winning on seven occasions. However, the Dutch driver endured a lackluster spell during the start of the British Grand Prix weekend, in which he failed to top any of the practice sessions under tricky conditions.

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Helmut Marko clarified that Verstappen suffered damage to his floor and front wing when he went off track in turn nine during the earlier part of qualifying. Marko therefore concluded that the sole reason for the 26-year-old’s poor run in Q3 was because of the aforementioned damages during the initial rounds of qualifying.

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Max went off track in Turn 9 and sustained damage that was around 100 points of downforce. The mechanics did what was possible in this short time in terms of repair. For the rest, we made some adjustments to the wing settings and so we were able to reduce the damage to around 20 percent for the final part of qualifying. And then P4 is thrilling.
Helmut Marko told SkySportsF1

Marko thereafter claimed that the brilliance of the engineers on track allowed Red Bull to make instant repairs to the RB20 of Max Verstappen, which included some wing setting changes as well. The 81-year-old then exclaimed in delight, saying a P4 result after such damages and repairs is a good result for the team.

Sergio Perez focused on performing well despite comments from outsiders

Sergio Perez failed to make it to Q2 after going into the gravel during a warm-up lap in Silverstone. Perez has now failed to qualify beyond Q1 for the third time this season, despite starting the campaign on a convincing note.

Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez (Via: Imago)
The most concerned about it is myself. I want to get back to my form as early as possible, and then just fully focus on my form. I'm just trying to find the solutions. I think we are making good progress. We are just about to unlock couple of tenths from our side, and our life will be very different, back to where we were at the start of the year.
Sergio Perez said after qualifying on Saturday

Sergio Perez exclaimed that Red Bull has been making good progress against the likes of McLaren and Mercedes, who have been in tremendous form as of late. Perez has therefore asserted that he is keen on figuring out a way to bounce back to winning ways with his expertise on the track and with the due support of the team.

Perez currently faces the axe under Red Bull given he signed a contract extension earlier this season, which reportedly offers a provision for replacement if the six-time race winner continues to underperform. The upcoming race in Silverstone will therefore prove to be an important one for the Mexican driver.

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