Helmut Marko says there are critical issues that Max Verstappen may go away Purple Bull on the finish of the season if the group doesn’t enhance its efficiency.
Verstappen completed sixth on the Bahrain Grand Prix after overtaking Pierre Gasly on the ultimate lap of the race, however was over half a minute behind race-winner Oscar Piastri regardless of a security automotive neutralizing the race with simply 24 laps to go. After Verstappen struggled so closely with tire degradation, steadiness points and braking issues, Marko admitted options have to be discovered rapidly.
“The priority is nice,” Marko instructed Sky Germany of the concern that Verstappen may go away on the finish of the season. “As I stated, enhancements have to return within the close to future in order that he has a automotive with which he can win once more. We’ve got to create a foundation with a automotive in order that he can struggle for the world championship.”
Verstappen’s probabilities of a greater outcome have been additionally hampered by two gradual pit stops – one for a signaling difficulty and one other because of a gradual tire change – and he says it merely compounded a troublesome night for him.
“The tempo was very unhealthy, however after all I didn’t count on the race that I had, as a result of principally the whole lot went unsuitable that might go unsuitable,” Verstappen stated. “That in all probability made it somewhat bit worse. However I feel the place the place I completed is, on the finish of the day, the utmost that we may have completed.
“The brakes are somewhat bit higher as a result of we have been allowed to vary the fabric, however the issue just isn’t solely the sensation within the brakes, which remains to be not the place I would like it to be, but in addition our tires are simply overheating, so once I’m braking there is no such thing as a feeling, as a result of it’s tremendous straightforward to lock fronts or rears on the similar time.”
Having received in Japan every week earlier, Verstappen stated the monitor format and floor in Bahrain uncovered Purple Bull’s weaknesses much more.
“Missing steadiness [is the cause], and it’s highlighted much more on this monitor. When you haven’t any steadiness and no tire administration, or worse tire administration than the others, then on this monitor it’s worse.
“I simply really feel like we’re even worse on tires in some way this yr. It makes it simply very sophisticated. As a result of final yr we weren’t too unhealthy round right here. After all then folks made enhancements, however I really feel like we really had a worse weekend than final yr. So it’s a bit bizarre.”
