Helmut Marko admits Red Bull atmosphere is ‘tense’ after ‘out of hand’ Hungarian GP
Red Bull has faced major issues in their atmosphere after Max Verstappen's agitation on the team radio in Budapest.
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)
The Hungarian GP witnessed a highly disappointing end to Red Bull’s weekend. The team was hopeful of a podium which was ruined by Max Verstappen‘s agitation. Additionally, Sergio Perez failed to score a good qualifying session and succumbed to a P7 finish. Hence, upon this, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes the atmosphere in the team is currently ‘tense.’
Max Verstappen was spotted making a couple of angry statements on the team radio throughout the 70-lap Budapest race. Verstappen started the race from P3 and ran too wide on Turn 1 at the start.
The Dutchman made a risky re-entry on track ahead of Lando Norris and had to swap positions later on. As a result, Helmut Marko accepted that this team order made the atmosphere tense.
The atmosphere is a bit tense.
Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung
Apart from this, the 81-year-old recalled that the race got ‘out of hand’ pretty quickly. Additionally, Verstappen was adamant about believing that he shouldn’t have let Norris through. Hence, one thing led to another and finally put a highly disappointing end to Milton Keynes’ Hungarian weekend.
It [the race] got out of hand and started with the fact that he didn't think he should have given back the position after Turn 1. Then one thing led to another.Helmut Marko added.
Helmut Marko accepts Red Bull ‘no longer superior’ after losing out to McLaren
Red Bull’s RB20 chassis has major grip and balance issues which ultimately led to the team losing out to McLaren. As a consequence, Milton Keynes has to work extremely hard to continue their lead in the constructors’ championship. The team hasn’t faced such fierce competition for the top spot ever since the beginning of the ground-effect era.
Helmut Marko reckoned that the 2024 season was ‘tough’ for Verstappen despite the team leading the championship but not being superior on the grid.
It's a tough season for him [Verstappen] and he's only human, We're still in the lead, but we're no longer so superior.Helmut Marko noted
Max Verstappen has already faced a ten-place grid penalty for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix due to exceeding five engine changes. Hence, the three-time world champion will have to work extremely hard to score great points at the ongoing Spa-Francorchamps race weekend.
In case you missed it:
- George Russell claims Mercedes is determined to take the ‘fight to McLaren and Red Bull’ at the Belgian GP
- ‘Grateful’ Lewis Hamilton claims Mercedes ‘changed his life’ as he heads for the final half of the season at Brackley
Aditya Pandya
(1460 Articles Published)