Helmut Marko: Valtteri Bottas Beating Lewis Hamilton is Good for Us

Helmut Marko: Valtteri Bottas Beating Lewis Hamilton is Good for Us

Valtteri Bottas

The advisor of the Austrian team, Helmut Marko seems to be satisfied in witnessing Valtteri Bottas take up the top honors ahead of Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Sprint Qualifying on Saturday. As it means that the seven-time world champion shall start from the ‘dirty’ side of the grid. With Max Verstappen behind him, as he trailed behind Bottas by four-tenths in qualifying on day 1 of the iTalian Grand Prix. 

To those who are still unaware, Valtteri Bottas will start at the back of the grid on Sunday because he has taken on a fourth power unit. Red Bull have stated that Verstappen will also be forced to take a grid penalty during the second half of the F1 season. Furthermore Max Verstappen says the plan is not to take a grid penalty this weekend and Helmut Marko has confirmed his driver’s comments, saying Bottas’ grid penalty will not affect Red Bull’s decision. 

What was Stated by Helmut Marko? 

Red Bull's Helmut Marko and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton

“The damage limitation has succeeded perfectly,” Helmut Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF. “Last year we were a second behind, now it’s four-tenths of a second. It’s also good that Bottas has pole position [Sprint King] because Hamilton starts on the dirty side of the track. That can make for an interesting first corner. If we manage to stay behind in the slipstream in the main race, then everything should actually be possible.” 

FS Video
Lewis Hamilton on Valtteri Bottas
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas

Red Bull currently are trailing behind Mercedes in the constructor’s standings by more than 10 points, whereas Verstappen tops the driver’s standings by 3 points. Safe to say, with the competition so close, Red Bull will not be willing to slip don easily even when Monza favors Mercedes and their challenger. 

“We are in a good position,” added Marko. “We can make it onto the podium in both races. Max would only possibly change [his] engine if he had a collision in the Sprint race or has a technical [problem], then it’s worth considering.”

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