Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, ridiculed McLaren’s Japanese Grand Prix strategy after Max Verstappen transformed his astonishing pole position into his 64th Formula One victory.
Verstappen dominated the race in Suzuka, finishing ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the top three separated by only two seconds.
Marko, meanwhile, has questioned the Woking-based team’s choice to try an undercut with Piastri and pit Norris on the same lap as Verstappen.
McLaren chose a safe strategy, not running either driver later in the race, much to Marko’s amusement.
“The strategy they choose is entirely up to them,” Marko told De Telegraaf. “It appeared like Oscar was the faster one.
“Could he have overtaken Max then? That’s a different tale on this circuit. But perhaps this is another iteration of McLaren’s papaya rules…”
An alternate plan appeared to be McLaren’s last hope of halting Verstappen, who has now won the Japanese Grand Prix four times in a row.
Neither Norris nor Piastri had an explanation for the Dutchman, though Marko said he chose not to lay a wager on his driver winning.
“I didn’t gamble because I was too terrified… Marko added that Max drove 53 circuits on the limit today, as well as 53 qualifying laps. “Without making one error. Unbelievable!”
The key to Verstappen’s victory was his spectacular qualifying lap record on Saturday, which saw him earn pole. This was only achievable after Red Bull made various upgrades to the RB21.
Marko has claimed that the car still has flaws, arguing that the only way Red Bull and Verstappen can defeat McLaren to the title is with full unity.
“We have made good steps this weekend in terms of tuning the car because we have changed a lot,” Marko told me. “But we need to keep fighting and working together.
“Only then will we have a chance of beating McLaren. If we cannot win, we must maximise [the outcome]. I believe this will continue throughout the season.”
