Qualifying vs Race pace compromise set Verstappen back, Marko reveals

Verstappen, who had been struggling with lack of grip issues all weekend, could only secure fifth on the grid half a second down on Norris. The defending champion’s car looked nervous through the fast middle sector, with onboard footage capturing two sharp moments where the rear suddenly stepped out mid-corner.

According to Marko, the issue wasn’t down to driver error but rather a deliberate compromise aimed at improving race-day performance.

“We did improve, but in sector two, we still lost two-tenths,” he told Sky DE. “And that in relatively only two corners. That will be very difficult during the race. Tyre wear will be decisive.”

The Austrian confirmed that the team had opted to lift the car’s ride height more than usual, a move designed to help manage tyre temperatures and balance when running with heavy fuel loads. However, it proved costly over a single lap.

“The height of the car is decisive,” Marko explained. “And in the second sector, we were maybe a little above the limit. But that’s for the race: when the tanks are full and we drive slower through the corners, at least that should be fixed.”

Red Bull will now hope the compromise pays off in Sunday’s race where Verstappen’s long-run pace, rather than qualifying speed, could determine whether he can fight his way back to the front.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella revealed that the team decided to forego the sanctions imposed on Lando Norris following his Singapor GP clash with teammate Oscar Piastri to regain the title fight momentum from Verstappen and thus ensure the papaya team's double title 2025 success.

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