Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko

Verstappen on thin ice: Is Marko worried about the risk of suspension?

13:15, 05 Jun

byKada Sarkozi

Max Verstappen is close to getting suspended, but Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is not worried about that happening.

After causing a collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen did not only receive a 10-second penalty that relegated him to P10, but also three penalty points. If the Dutchman would earn himself another penalty point in Canada, he would have to deal with a one-race ban.

Top advisor Helmut Marko however doesn't think Verstappen will not be present at Red Bull's home Grand Prix in Spielberg.

"No, no, that's not going to happen. He has himself well under control," Marko began to OE24.

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc made contact during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona as well

Marko saw series of events cause frustration for Verstappen

Accordting Marko, it all happened at the same time in Barcelona, leading to Verstappen getting frustrated. "He was actually more relaxed lately, until the Spanish Grand Prix," he explained.

"There, a lot came together: he got the wrong tyre, had to give back his position while he was convinced he was right, and then there was the action with Leclerc. At a certain point, enough is enough."

The 82-year-old Austrian also added that after the Safety Car restart on the start-finish straight, Leclerc made contact with the defending world champion, but the stewards decided not to penalise him.

"He was hit at 300 kilometres per hour, but no action was taken. Naturally, that also makes him angry."

According to Marko, Verstappen's approach to always drive on the limit plays a role in his behaviour on the track. "When you have to drive with the knife between your teeth all the time, like he does this year, everything becomes more difficult."

With this result at the Spanish Grand Prix, the four-time world champion is currently 49 points behind McLaren driver Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings.

This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder