Helmut Marko admits that "driving on was pointless" for Verstappen in Japan

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18:26, 14 Oct 2019

It was a tough weekend for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen in Japan as he recorded a DNF, despite qualifying in fifth place, becoming the only driver to not finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.

As a result, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel moved level with the Dutchman on 212 points in the drivers' championship with just four races remaining in the season.

"You always learn. An early start is no more a spring start. And an accident that has not even been investigated is suddenly being reopened, " Marko said.

"The case was clear. The Leclerc would have gone straight if he had not had the Verstappen as a buffer. If there had been no punishment, I would have understood nothing.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	302
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	236
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	199
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	186
5	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	179
6	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	163
7	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	120
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	86
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	59
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	41
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	37
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	27
13	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	20
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	10
15	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	7
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	7
17	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	7
18	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
19	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	3
20	Yuki Tsunoda Yuki Tsunoda	Racing BullsRCB	1
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
23	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0

Helmut Marko admits that "driving on was pointless" for Verstappen in Japan

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