Marko light-hearted about fight Verstappen and Perez: 'No risk, no fun'

Max Verstappen couldn't quite bridge the gap to Sergio Perez during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, and the Mexican appeared to be able to match the Dutchman. Helmut Marko revealed that Checo asked if he should increase his speed, and Red Bull just let them race.

The team advisor still saw that despite his drivers driving 20 seconds away from P3, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, the other teams have moved closer to Red Bull. Dr Marko thinks there could be some real challengers at the end of the season. Although Verstappen's setup in Baku was not even quite right, those challengers were not there yet.

No risk, no fun at Red Bull

However, Verstappen himself did have to take on the role of challenger against teammate Perez. The Dutchman kept pace at a good two seconds throughout the race, but could not get any closer, let alone pass him. Marko told German Sky that the team did not intervene and let the drivers drive their own pace.

Marko: "It meant pulse, but also sportiness. We didn't give any orders. Perez asked five laps before the end if we should increase the speed. But we just let them race. No risk no fun."