Helmut Marko: 'Verstappen had no time to react' to Bottas crash

Amidst the debate about Max Verstappen passing Valtteri Bottas' crashed car without slowing down, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing advisor Dr Helmut Marko thinks the Dutchman didn't have time to react as he was so close behind the Finn.

Verstappen seemingly not slowing when passing the wreck of Bottas has dominated the F1 news cycle ever since it happened at the end of Q3, when the Dutchman kept his foot in it as he went on to solidify his pole position for Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix.

While the 22-year-old has been summoned to the stewards to explain himself, Marko thinks his driver shouldn't be penalised for the situation as he thinks there wasn't sufficient time to react.

"Max was so close behind Bottas that in a qualifying lap he couldn't have had time to react," the Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport.

"It all happened at the same time and there was no sign of the yellow flag on the steering wheel. The drivers only look to their wheel these days and listen to their engineers."

While the judgement on Verstappen is yet to be made, it sure has divided the paddock in terms of opinion.