Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has identified where Max Verstappen fell behind McLaren on the first day of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion finished the second practice in a commendable third place on the timesheets; nonetheless, he was three-tenths slower than pace setter Lando Norris.
Marko has maintained that the Dutchman’s shortfall isn’t too considerable, though lacking a new engine is also impacting the 27-year-old.
“He’s not too far off,” Marko shared with selected media, including RacingNews365. “I don’t think it’s three-tenths.”
Regarding the engine, we lack a new one, which does make a difference. “However, with fuel included, I believe it’s roughly half a tenth.”
The central sector was Verstappen’s greatest vulnerability on Friday, where nearly two-tenths of his gap to McLaren was evident.
Although the timesheets were clear, Marko acknowledged the time lost by the reigning world champion while also identifying a major advantage McLaren possesses over Red Bull.
When questioned about where Verstappen is losing time, Marko clarified: “It’s mainly out of Turn 4, which also impacts your speed into Turn 5.” However, we’re discussing hundredths of a second.
It’s packed tightly together. What is evident, however, is that McLaren makes adjustments effortlessly when they begin to skid slightly.
“The vehicle is easier to manage than ours.” “Our car doesn’t disappear instantly if we skid, but it becomes significantly harder to control.”
