Marko's statements highlight a desperate Red Bull answerless to McLaren's might

Verstappen set the timing sheets a-blaze on Saturday afternoon at Silverstone to grab a shocking pole position ahead of both McLarens and both Ferraris, who seemd to have the British GP race weekend by the handle.

Nevertheless, it was then made clear that Red Bull had sacrificed rear downforce to mitigate the understeer in the Dutchman's RB21, an aggressive set-up choice that though successful on Saturday, proved to go awry on Sunday.

Forecasts predicted rain to fall before the race, however, the British classic summer weather struck at the worst possible time for Verstappen and Red Bull, just before the race, and then during the Grand Prix itself.

Helmut Marko in conversation with Oe24, revealed that the Austrian team's gamble, taken out of necessity in order to keep up with the mighty McLarens, was indeed the wrong one, and it highlights the fact that the team led by Christian Horner cannot keep up with the Woking-based team. "Unfortunately, that's the case. After qualifying and Max's pole, things didn't look too bad. Unfortunately, we relied on the weather forecast and chose a dry setup. On a wet track, it was clear that we stood no chance."

Ultimately the Red Bull top advisor believes that there was more than P5 in it for Verstappen at Silverstone. "Without the spin, Max might have finished third. You just have to acknowledge that McLaren is much better," said Marko very calmly.

The fight for the title seemed to be foregone following Verstappen's DNF in Austria, but following the poor result at Silverstone, the final nail in the coffin of the Dutchman's championship bid looks to have been firmly place with the gap to Piastri has increased to 69 points.