Marko Reveals Possible Reason For 22-Second Gap Between Verstappen And Norris

Monday, 26 August 2024 at 10:42

Updated at Monday, 26 August 2024 at 12:27

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko discussed what could possibly have gone wrong for Max Verstappen to finish 22.896 seconds behind Lando Norris.

During the 15th race weekend of the season at Circuit Zandvoort, Lando Norris not only broke Max Verstappen's previously undisputed record but also showcased McLaren's dominant performance.

Even though he lost a position to the triple World Champion at the start of the race, Lando Norris slowly caught back up with the Dutchman, and once he overtook him, he disappeared into the distance, crossing the finish line 22.896 seconds before Verstappen.

Speaking to Sky Deutschland after the race, Helmut Marko admitted Red Bull "could not keep up with the pace at all." To further assert the dominance, Norris even went on to set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap with 43-laps-old hard compound tires.

How could he suddenly be so much faster than the Dutchman and Red Bull? Helmut Marko revealed there was a last-minute change in set-up to the 26-year-old's car for more downforce.

“"We also have to remember that Sergio Perez's last stint was faster than Max's. They were driving with different setups. "”

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“"Maybe it wasn't the right choice that we gave Max more downforce, because we weren't fast enough in terms of top speed and it didn't help us in the corners. There is still a lot of work to do, and this provides food for thought."”

Speaking to ServusTV, the 81-year-old pointed out that Verstappen's car's tires degrade much faster than Norris's. However, the Red Bull driver could have perhaps finished closer to the Briton in the lead if he had tried, but it made no sense to push at that point.

“"The big problem was tire wear. He started sliding and couldn't push anymore. But in the end, of course, he controlled the gap to the back. Up front, he had no chance."”

“"We are clearly being beaten, so that is alarming. I do think it was partly down to the track, though. It was also about the relatively low temperature."”

“"And it was interesting that after the pit stop, Piastri drove about the same pace as Lando and nothing worked when he was stuck behind Charles Leclerc. Unfortunately, that was not the case with Lando when he overtook Max."”

Was the race at Zandvoort a warning sign for all Red Bull fans? Verstappen himself said after the qualifying session that he only expects Norris to get stronger and faster with more experience. Could the Championship title really be in danger?