Marko claims F1 stewards are 'not fans' of Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko has launched an attack on Formula 1 stewards, offering a thinly-veiled suggestion that Max Verstappen is treated differently from other drivers on the grid, following his five-second penalty in Monaco that ultimately cost his second place.

Verstappen was involved in a coming together in the pit lane with Valtteri Bottas, with the latter suffering a puncture.

The Dutchman was issued with a five-second punishment which pushed him off the podium and into fourth, despite him being Lewis Hamilton's main threat for much of the race.

The usually outspoken Marko, via De Telegraaf, stated his belief that stewards are 'not the biggest fans' of Verstappen, suggesting that he is more harshly treated than other drivers.

He said: "We were ahead of Bottas, but apparently Max can't do much good in the eyes of the stewards.

"I realise that they are not his biggest fans."

Marko also hinted that an incident during the race between Verstappen and Hamilton, where the former claimed the Brit had turned into him on team radio, should have led to a punishment for the world championship leader.

But he said that given that Hamilton was wearing a red hat to honour Niki Lauda, that 'would not be the case'.

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