Marko explains P1 and P2 Mercedes: 'Track evolution and engines turned up'

Helmut Marko is not at all concerned that Mercedes recorded the fastest time in the first free practice for the Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing adviser has a simple explanation as to why Max Verstappen ultimately had to settle for fourth place, in a practice that he largely dominated.

Max Verstappen led the timesheet until shortly before the end, but Mercedes waited until the end of the session to fit softs to the cars of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. That timing proved good, as the two Mercedes drivers ended the session with P1 and P2. Charles Leclerc also dipped below Verstappen's time at the last minute.

As far as Marko is concerned, however, there is no cause for concern. That has everything to do with the late hour when the Mercedes drivers recorded their best times. "The track evolution was huge. Every time you went out, you were half a second faster," the Red Bull advisor said in conversation with the German branch of Sky Sports.

According to Marko, Verstappen's fourth position had everything to do with the fact that Red Bull was doing long runs at the time Mercedes came out on the soft tyres. "Also, they had turned up the engines," he continued. "I think we are in a good position again here. The few long runs we drove were fine."