Helmut Marko says there are severe considerations that Max Verstappen may depart Purple Bull on the finish of the season if the crew 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 automobile neutralizing the race with simply 24 laps to go. After Verstappen struggled so closely with tire degradation, stability points and braking issues, Marko admitted options should be discovered shortly.
“The priority is nice,” Marko informed Sky Germany of the worry that Verstappen may depart on the finish of the season. “As I stated, enhancements have to come back within the close to future in order that he has a automobile with which he can win once more. We’ve got to create a foundation with a automobile in order that he can combat for the world championship.”
Verstappen’s probabilities of a greater end result had been additionally hampered by two sluggish pit stops – one for a signaling difficulty and one other resulting from a sluggish tire change – and he says it merely compounded a tricky 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 mainly all the things went incorrect that would go incorrect,” Verstappen stated. “That in all probability made it a bit bit worse. However I believe the place the place I completed is, on the finish of the day, the utmost that we may have achieved.
“The brakes are a bit bit higher as a result of we had been allowed to alter the fabric, however the issue is just not solely the sensation within the brakes, which continues to be not the place I need it to be, but in addition our tires are simply overheating, so after I’m braking there isn’t a feeling, as a result of it’s tremendous straightforward to lock fronts or rears on the identical time.”
Having received in Japan per week earlier, Verstappen stated the observe format and floor in Bahrain uncovered Purple Bull’s weaknesses much more.
“Missing stability [is the cause], and it’s highlighted much more on this observe. When you haven’t any stability and no tire administration, or worse tire administration than the others, then on this observe 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. In fact then folks made enhancements, however I really feel like we truly had a worse weekend than final yr. So it’s a bit bizarre.”
