Before the start of the race weekend in Sao Paulo, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko spoke in an interview about the situation in the championship and Max Verstappen’s penalties on the Mexico City stage.
Question: Max Verstappen called the race weekend in Mexico intense and took a lot of energy. How do you deal with such pressure?
Helmut Marko: This is not a problem for me as I enjoy a great rest during long flights.
Question: Do you agree with Max’s 20 second penalty?
Helmut Marko: No, because the fine was excessive. This is a clear statement, because Lando Norris received a 5-second time penalty in Austin.
The severe punishment of our rider is intended as an example. The problem is that the stewards decide one way first, and another way the next time. There is no clear line, no consistency, but the interpretation of the rules must be the same.
We don’t need former racers as stewards, we need professional stewards. These should be neutral people who make objective judgments in accordance with established rules. This is where the FIA needs to come into play.
Q: You also said that gravel traps help prevent you from veering off the highway…
Helmut Marko: Exactly, and it’s not that difficult to implement. The best example was in Spielberg. Last year the highway boundaries were exceeded more than a hundred times, this year only two or three. If gravel traps were installed on all routes, the problem would be 95% solved.
Q: Can you help the FIA as a lawyer with your ideas?
Helmut Marko: Strictly speaking, this is Alex Wurtz’s job as president of the GPDA.
Question: Should Max Verstappen win the title with a 47-point lead with four rounds left in the season?
Helmut Marko: It won’t be easy. It needs a new engine, so we get a fine for replacement. It’s good that the engine has more power and that you can overtake in Brazil.
Q: Do you still have hopes of winning the Constructors’ Championship?
Helmut Marko: Red Bull will no longer overtake Ferrari given their current form. They are the ones who can overtake McLaren.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
