Verstappen's mistake threw a spanner in the works: 'Plan thrown into disarray'

Max Verstappen had to go deep for it but eventually managed to win the French Grand Prix. At ServusTV Helmut Marko discusses the victory of Verstappen, but he also talks about the class of Lewis Hamilton.

A mistake by Verstappen

Verstappen seemed to throw away a good chance of victory by his mistake in the first corner. The Dutchman braked a little too late, went off track and had to let Lewis Hamilton pass him as a result. This of course caused problems at the pit wall, as Marko now reveals to Red Bull's broadcaster.

''Because of our speed, the plan was to drive away from the front at two or three seconds, but after Max's slip, that plan was thrown into disarray,'' Marko said on the Sport and Talk from Hangar 7 programme. However, the Red Bull top man then saw his team spring into action, and take the win after all.

Red Bull's risk

''When we were upfront and Mercedes could put so much pressure, it was clear we couldn't go through. That's when we took the risk of the two-stop, even though we were in front. Max was then able to catch Lewis four laps from the end, but then you have to deal with the talented Hamilton, who suddenly runs the same time as Verstappen for a few laps," recalls Marko.

Hamilton couldn't keep that up, of course, so Verstappen passed Lewis one lap before the end. ''We need to pick up this momentum now. I think the performance is very good now. Mercedes is not used to this anymore, because they always had reserves in the engine'', concludes Marko who is looking forward to the race at home with many fans for Verstappen.