Marko blames Norris after crash with Verstappen: 'completely unnecessary'
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- Corwin Kunst
Helmut Marko would have liked a different outcome to the Austrian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen was in control, but after a crash with Lando Norris towards the end of the race, it was George Russell who finally secured another win for Mercedes. Marko does not understand why Norris was so fierce in the duel with Verstappen.
Of course, it was about victory. And then aggressive racing is part of it, but Marko, speaking to the German branch of Sky, places an important caveat on that. The McLaren driver already received an official warning for exceeding the track limits too often and then he went outside the lines once more.
Marko gives his opinion
According to Marko, it was already certain that Norris would get a five-second time penalty. He did get it, but only after he and Verstappen hit each other. "We knew he [Norris] had crossed the white line. I thought the action was completely unnecessary," stated the 81-year-old Red Bull Racing team advisor at the Red Bull Ring.
Things almost went wrong a couple of times before the crash too. Norris thought Verstappen changed line while braking, the Dutchman in turn was not happy with how the McLaren driver attacked the duels. "I think what Max did was more within limits than what Lando did. That was unnecessarily aggressive from both drivers," was Marko's verdict.