Marko: 'Verstappen wasn't even back on the track when we heard'

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko speaks out about the race of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman had to give the lead back to Lewis Hamilton after he overtook him off the track.

Red Bull had quick contact with the race director

"He wasn't even back on the track when we were told: we have to let Hamilton pass," Marko explained to ServusTV about Verstappen's overtaking attempt on Hamilton. "I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't done it. Max thinks it would have been the sportier solution."

"After that of course Hamilton did it cleverly, deliberately taking the pace out until he had overtaken Max again. His tyres were pretty much gone. They seem to have recovered. And because of the dirt on our tyres, our attack didn't go through in the end," the Austrian continued.

Mercedes to beat in 2021

Marko reveals that Verstappen was unable to summon the full engine power at the end of the race. Nevertheless, he sees possibilities against Mercedes: "We came close, but to beat Mercedes you have to be perfect", he concludes.