Daniel Ricciardo cost Max Verstappen P2 at Monaco GP - Helmut Marko

Max Verstappen

Ricciardo cost Verstappen P2 - Marko

Well, Helmut would say that!

Matthew Scott

Saturday 25 May 2019 20:21 Updated: 20:27

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Max Verstappen's best qualifying result of 2019 could have been even better, according to Red Bull motorsport chief Dr Helmut Marko. Verstappen qualified third for the Monaco Grand Prix, but Marko believes getting stuck behind former team-mate Daniel Ricciardo ultimately cost him a spot on the front row.

Lewis Hamilton and Bottas locked out he front row yet again for Mercedes, with Verstappen four tenths adrift of the Finn.

However, Verstappen suggested that his final Q3 lap was not at the maximum, and Marko explained the thinking behind it.

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"Max was trapped behind Daniel Ricciardo in his out-lap and was therefore unable to drive fast enough to get the temperature in the tyres," Marko told ORF. "As a result, he lost three tenths in the first sector on his flying lap.

"We had expected that we could get a place on the front row. We could have matched the time of Valtteri Bottas.

"Now overtaking is not possible unless something crazy happens and the two Mercedes can block the whole thing."

Verstappen added: "Overall, I feel good in the car and we keep pushing hard to improve.

"It is of course hard to overtake here so it will be very challenging to move forwards in the race, but if we are able to stay close then who knows what can be done with strategy.

"Whatever happens, I will be pushing as hard as always for the best result."