Helmut Marko laments Max Verstappen “large downside” in Bahrain

Helmut Marko revealed {that a} “large downside” led to Max Verstappen’s disappointing qualifying session within the Bahrain desert Saturday evening. The Dutchman might solely safe P7, and can begin tomorrow’s grand prix only one place behind his championship rival Lando Norris.

“It was worse than anticipated as a result of we modified just a few issues on the automobile which we thought could be an enchancment, then rapidly we had this brake downside,” Marko instructed reporters after the session. “It was a large downside, they may see it on the information, however we don’t know the place it got here from.”

The Crimson Bull racing advisor mentioned that Yuki Tsunoda, who completed P10, didn’t endure any issues. “It was solely Max’s automobile,” he defined.

Viewers heard Verstappen complaining on the staff radio about his “horrible” brakes, nevertheless Marko mentioned the braking difficulty had “nothing to do” with the automobile’s new set-up. “It was not a clean qualifying, however each vehicles have been within the prime 10, in order that was achievement,” he continued. “And with out the braking issues, it will have been P3 or P4.”

In the meantime, Marko praised Tsunoda’s Q3 efficiency, noting that the Japanese driver has been “entering into the fitting route” since his promotion to Crimson Bull final weekend. “His first lap was deleted [for track limits] and he nonetheless did not lose his nerves, he stayed calm, and he was bettering repeatedly,” he mentioned. “That is what we’re anticipating from him.”

The Austrian additionally praised rookie Isack Hadjar’s “very aggressive” efficiency within the RB. “Factors are nonetheless doable,” he mentioned of the 20-year-old Frenchman, who will begin from P12 tomorrow. As for Liam Lawson, who was unceremoniously changed by Tsunoda final week, Marko mentioned he was “slowly coming up to the mark.” He curtly added: “Typically that’s OK.”