Dr Helmut Marko has suggested that there was little point intervening in Max Verstappen’s quest for the fastest lap in Jeddah.
Toward the end of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen requested information regarding the fastest lap over the team radio.
The team told the two-time World Champion that it was not concerned with the matter, but on the last lap, Verstappen successfully set the fastest time and stole the extra championship point away from team-mate Sergio Perez.
“Typical Max on the last lap with the fastest race lap,” he told Austrian broadcaster ORF. “That was uncontrollable. That’s just Max.
“Both were constantly asking who had the fastest lap and Max waited until the last lap so Perez couldn’t counter. It means the lead in the world championship for him. We are very satisfied with the race.”
Perez took issue with the fastest lap situation after the race, stating that he had received different information to Verstappen.
However, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says that Perez put in a last fastest lap attempt of his own, but backed off when he couldn’t improve.
“I think we came to the conclusion that do you know what, it’s the last lap, if it’s going to go, it’s going to go,” Horner said.
“I think he [Verstappen] already come to that conclusion himself. Both drivers had the info, Checo had the fastest lap at that point, he asked what it was, so it was obvious why he was asking.
“He knew that Max was going to have a crack at it, and Checo gave it up after the first couple of turns, he was already a tenth and a half down, and then you saw him back out of it.”
Verstappen started the race from 15th on the grid after suffering a drive shaft failure during Q2 on Saturday.
However, he cruised back to the front of the pack in the race, crossing the line in second place.
“We already assumed it would be podium,” Marko added. “But it was still a bit of a squeeze because he was suffering from vibrations again”.
