Helmut Marko says there are critical issues that Max Verstappen might depart 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, stability points and braking issues, Marko admitted options have to be discovered rapidly.
“The priority is nice,” Marko informed Sky Germany of the worry that Verstappen might depart 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 to create a foundation with a automotive in order that he can struggle for the world championship.”
Verstappen’s possibilities of a greater outcome have been additionally hampered by two sluggish pit stops – one for a signaling subject and one other as a result of a sluggish tire change – and he says it merely compounded a troublesome night for him.
“The tempo was very dangerous, however in fact I didn’t anticipate the race that I had, as a result of mainly every part went improper that might go improper,” Verstappen stated. “That most likely made it a little bit bit worse. However I feel the place the place I completed is, on the finish of the day, the utmost that we might have completed.
“The brakes are a little bit bit higher as a result of we have been allowed to alter the fabric, however the issue isn’t solely the sensation within the brakes, which remains to be not the place I need 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 identical time.”
Having received in Japan per week earlier, Verstappen stated the monitor 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 monitor. When you haven’t any stability 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 by some means this 12 months. It makes it simply very difficult. As a result of final 12 months we weren’t too dangerous round right here. After all then individuals made enhancements, however I really feel like we really had a worse weekend than final 12 months. So it’s a bit bizarre.”
