Marko sure: 'It annoys Verstappen that he hasn't won in China yet'

Helmut Marko knows it for sure: Max Verstappen is annoyed at the fact he has never won the Chinese Grand Prix. The Dutchman will therefore be motivated to win it this weekend.

Verstappen had a great chance for victory in China in 2018. A late safety car allowed Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo to go in for a softer set of tyres and thus attack the leaders. However, Verstappen was too eager and tried to overtake Lewis Hamilton, ultimately costing Max his place relative to Ricciardo.

Marko looks out for Sainz

Ricciardo would eventually win that race, while Verstappen did not even make it onto the podium after a spin in a duel with Sebastian Vettel: "That was a lesson for life," Marko stated to the Kronen Zeitung. According to Marko, Verstappen finds it annoying that he hasn't won in China yet. "Of course. That blank spot will annoy him."

Marko was cautious before free practice to predict how the weekend in Shanghai will go. He does point to one major rival: "Apart from Mercedes, everyone has moved closer. However, the biggest danger is Ferrari with Carlos Sainz, who is in good form," Marko concluded.