Helmut Marko demands an explanation from Sergio Perez over Austrian GP Sprint race shenanigans while racing Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez managed a P2 finish during the Sprint Race at the Red Bull ring.

Helmut Marko demands an explanation from Sergio Perez over Austrian GP Sprint race shenanigans while racing Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko (Credits: Planet F1), Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen (Credits: planetsport.com)

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez started yesterday’s Sprint race at the Red Bull ring from P1 and P2 on the grid. As the lights went green, the latter got off to a better start and, going into Turn 1, pushed Verstappen onto the grass, which could have led to an accident. Helmut Marko has indicated that it was not necessary and is going to demand an explanation from his Mexican driver.

Sergio Perez has been under the pump at Red Bull since the last few races, but during the Austrian GP Sprint race, he got off to a great start and got the better of Max Verstappen. However, after getting ahead, the duo was seen engaged in an ugly tussle, and Verstappen even came onto the radio to let his frustration known.

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While the duo revealed that they have discussed what happened during their tussle, Helmut Marko shared his thoughts, told racingnews365.com, “Everything after Turn 1 was not necessary. We have to look at it, and I’m still going to talk to Checo about this. Maybe he didn’t see Max.”

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The 80-year-old has made it known that he will have a talk with Perez regarding his actions during the Sprint race but has also indicated that because of the wet conditions, maybe Perez was not able to see where the 25-year-old was as they exited turn 1. A lot has been made about the incident in the F1 paddock.

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Sergio Perez is starting the Austrian GP from P15

Sergio Perez (Credits: Sky Sports)
Sergio Perez (Credits: Sky Sports)

While Sergio Perez was able to come away with a second-place finish during yesterday’s 24-lap Sprint race, he has an uphill battle in front of him during the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. After another disappointing qualifying session, he will start the race from P15 on the grid behind Valtteri Bottas.

However, the RB19 has a tremendous pace to make its way through the grid and into the higher points-scoring positions. The race at the Red Bull ring is an extremely important event for Sergio Perez, and if he is not able to produce a special performance, the pressure on him is only going to increase further.

Considering everything that has happened in the two days at the Red Bull Ring, how do you see the Austrian Grand Prix panning out for the 33-year-old? Would the Mexican, on the back of a superior car, be able to tear his way through the midfield and score at least a podium finish for his team?

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