Max Verstappen F1 News: Helmut Marko makes surprise Red Bull admission over Lando Norris crash

Thumbnail for article regarding Marko at Imola — Photo: © IMAGO

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Marko makes SURPRISE Red Bull admission over Verstappen-Norris crash

The two drivers came together at the Austrian GP

Kevin McKenna

Tuesday 2 July 2024 21:00

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has made a surprising admission regarding the collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

After several laps of hard-fought racing between the pair for first place, on lap 64, the cars collided as Norris tried to overtake around the outside into turn 4 at the Red Bull Ring.

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Both drivers suffered punctures as a result but managed to make their way back to the pits in an effort to rescue their race. Verstappen would go on to finish fifth, however, Norris was forced to retire due to the extensive damage to his vehicle.

Mercedes driver George Russell was the lucky beneficiary of the incident, stealing in to take the lead and secure his second career victory, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz.

George Russell took advantage of a late collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris

Norris and Verstappen came together in the closing stages in Austria

Blame game continues

Despite being hit with a penalty for his role in the incident, Verstappen dismissed claims he was at fault, whilst Norris questioned whether the pair could remain close friends during a stunning interview just moments after the race conclusion.

The Brit was backed by his team boss, Andrea Stella, who suggested the FIA's handling of a similar incident between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021 had set a dangerous precedent.

Speaking to Austrian broadcaster Servus TV, Red Bull chief Marko surprisingly admitted his own team could have taken action to prevent the two drivers coming together.

Helmut Marko suggested that Red Bull could take taken action to prevent the incident

The 81-year-old pointed to the fact that, at the moment of contact, Norris was under investigation for exceeding track limits, something which could have resulted in a penalty therefore negating the need for Verstappen to defend his position so aggressively.

Offering his assessment, Marko said: “I think they both drove unnecessarily fiercely.

"In doing so, maybe we should have intervened as well because we knew there was an investigation going on about Lando and track limits - we just didn’t know yet if he would be punished.

“With hindsight, you can then say: ‘Okay, let him go [past]’, but let’s look on the bright side, we increased our lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

"It was a great fight until it somehow degenerated - who brakes where, who grabs more track limits, instead of focusing on a fair finish.”

Max Verstappen Mercedes Lando Norris Carlos Sainz George Russell Oscar Piastri