Marko explains Red Bull choice: 'As a result, Verstappen lost the lead'

After the sprint race in Belgium started with a rolling start, most of the Formula 1 drivers dived in the pit lane on Lap 1 to swap their wet tyres for intermediates. Max Verstappen waited a lap, however, and according to Helmut Marko, there was an obvious explanation for this.

"It was not easy strategically. We deliberately chose to get Checo in first because we were expecting chaos in the pit lane. That's why we fell back to behind Piastri," Marko explained in conversation with ServusTV.

"Max immediately saw that Piastri was skidding quite a bit and overloading his tyres. Then you saw that he passed him with ease, although McLaren had more downforce. We expected them to be stronger in the rain," the Red Bull Racing consultant said about the Woking-based team.

Marko expects fight with Hamilton

"Max was sovereign with an eight-tenths lead, but we have some tough opponents. Hamilton was very fast, I assume he will be as well tomorrow. You know those two are not the best of friends," Marko said of his expectation for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Verstappen will start the race from sixth place, after incurring a grid penalty for changing his gear ball. "The main task is to pass Hamilton. Then I think it should be possible. In terms of tyre wear and overall performance, our car is in a class of its own, especially if we have DRS," Marko said.