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'Verstappen could have been much faster'

'Verstappen could have been much faster'

26-07-2023 10:53 Last update: 11:24
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Toby McLuskie

Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix by more than 33 seconds ahead of the next car in the field. With such a lead on a relatively short track, it is easy to think that the Dutchman must have given it his all. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko sees it differently and indicates in an interview with Österreich24 that Verstappen is still far from the limit.

Red Bull in race trim inimitable

"The setup in qualifying was not perfect, and with that we see the competition getting closer," Marko concluded. Verstappen was ahead of Lewis Hamilton in qualifying at the Hungaroring, but Lando Norris ' McLaren was also fully in the battle for pole position. However, the Austrian knows that the competition still has a serious way to go to threaten Verstappen and Red Bull in the race as well. "In race trim, however, we [Red Bull] are still far ahead of the rest. Max could have been much faster, he was nowhere near his limit."

Marko also sees that Sergio Perez has resumed his upward trajectory this weekend. "He finally achieved Q3 again on Saturday. In the race, he then drove himself from ninth to third. There isan upward trend again with him."