Marko let Verstappen and Perez race: 'Thank God they were smart enough'

Helmut Marko saw Red Bull Racing take their fifth win in as many races. It is the best-ever start to the season for the Austrian racing team, and so the 80-year-old consultant cannot help but be satisfied.

Speaking to television station ORF, Marko praised the tyre management of both his drivers. According to the Austrian, Verstappen's pace at the start made the difference. "The decisive thing was that Max managed to overtake midfield drivers relatively quickly on his hard tyres. The hard tyre was better than expected beforehand. Max can set incredible times in extreme situations, and he showed that today."

No team orders at Red Bull

With Verstappen ending up on the tarmac behind Perez after his late pit stop, a battle for victory ensued on the track. Red Bull had announced beforehand that their drivers would race, and so they did. Perez defended hard, but not at any cost.

"We said as soon as there is no immediate danger lurking from behind, let them race and thank God they are both smart enough not to hit each other," he said. Checo was not prepared to give in just like that, and it got a little tight because they were both racing at the limit," Marko said.