Formula 1: Helmut Marko’s Warning Ahead of Sprint Qualifying

Formula 1: Helmut Marko’s Warning Ahead of Sprint Qualifying

Dr. Helmut Marko

As the Spint Qualifying is all set to enter the Formula 1 2021 Season at Silverstone, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko feels one wrong step and it could ruin the entire of the race weekend. Those who are not aware, the new format basically replaces the usual qualifying and will be used to determine the grid for the race day. After one practice on the Friday, the drivers will take part in a qualifying session broken up into the usual Q1, Q2 and Q3. 

The order of that will determine the start grid for a short race on the Saturday afternoon, a 100km dash with no pit-stops, with the result of that used for the grid on the actual race day. Moreover, the sprint qualifying changes and all the rules that come with it also mean Red Bull will not be putting any new parts on their car for the British Grand Prix. 

Helmut Marko on Sprint Qualifying at British Grand Prix 

Helmut Marko on Mercedes
Helmut Marko on Mercedes

“If something goes wrong on Friday, it can ruin the whole weekend,” he told Speedweek. “The first practice session is the only chance to check your form, after that the parc fermé regulation comes into force. That means you can only correct something on Saturday in the second practice session.” 

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Having said that, Max Verstappen is currently 32 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, while Red Bull have a 44-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship. It has to be said that the battle, though, is far from over. 

“Mercedes will only give up when there is no mathematical chance,” Marko concluded. 

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko

Formula 1 sprint qualifying will be tested three times in 2021, which could potentially pave the way for an F1 sprint race to become a more regular feature on the calendar. 

As it stands, Lewis Hamilton will put everything on the line in trying to outrace Max Verstappen and the others in order to make the most the chance of being backed by his home fans at Silverstone.

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