Marko not worried about pace of qualifying: 'Was due to set-up'

Max Verstappen's pace on Friday was variable. During FP1 the Dutchman was the fastest on the track, but in FP2 he didn't seem to be able to keep up with the pace of Mercedes. Helmut Marko is not worried.

"In the first practice we were the fastest over one fast lap, in the second practice the fastest in the long runs," Marko is quoted by Motorsport-Magazin.com. Consequently, Verstappen topped the timesheet during FP1, while in the second practice he had to settle for a P4.

According to Marko, Mercedes and Red Bull are on equal footing. The Red Bull advisor is not worried about the slower qualifying pace in the second practice session. According to him, the slower pace was due to the set-up of the car for the long runs.

Adjustments to long runs at the expense of pace

"The changes for the long runs were, let's say, too extreme. Therefore, the recall of the tyre temperature and the provision for one fast lap did not work," said Marko. Indeed, during FP2 Red Bull changed the car's set-up several times.

Over the next 24 hours, the team will try to find the perfect setup.