Marko: "We like to take what is offered to us on a platter"

Where there is incomprehension among some about the strategic choices of both Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko actually praises his team's strategists. The top advisor also has nothing but praise for race winner Sergio Perez, who seems to have secured his contract extension.

A victory might have been in store for Ferrari, but after Charles Leclerc's second pit stop, the race win fell into Red Bull's lap. "I can't judge how they handled it internally. We were happy to take what was offered to us on a silver platter," Marko said in conversation with the German branch of Sky Sports.

Marko praises Red Bull's strategists

Marko says that the strategy was decisive for the victory. In doing so, he praises chief strategist Hannah Schmitz, who has been in the spotlight before after she gave Red Bull victory through a bold choice. "The composure and sovereignty to stay out, even though other teams were already driving fastest laps on the intermediates, was the deciding factor," the Austrian continued.

In addition, he has nothing but praise for Perez, who has placed himself in the middle of the title race with his victory. Red Bull seems to have finally found the second driver the team has been looking for for years. "It's a good combination. He has now achieved two wins in a year and a half with us, we are satisfied," he said.

The Red Bull chief also touches on why Verstappen failed to secure second place behind his teammate. According to Marko, the pit stop was unfavourable for Verstappen, as he had to wait for Perez and therefore had no chance to overtake Sainz.

Nevertheless, Verstappen can also be satisfied with third place. "The goal was to increase the lead over Leclerc and we succeeded," said Marko.