Helmut Marko says there are critical issues that Max Verstappen might depart Pink Bull on the finish of the season if the staff 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, steadiness points and braking issues, Marko admitted options must be discovered rapidly.
“The priority is nice,” Marko advised Sky Germany of the concern that Verstappen might depart on the finish of the season. “As I mentioned, enhancements have to return 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 struggle for the world championship.”
Verstappen’s possibilities of a greater end result have been additionally hampered by two sluggish pit stops – one for a signaling problem and one other because of a sluggish tire change – and he says it merely compounded a troublesome night for him.
“The tempo was very dangerous, however after all I didn’t count on the race that I had, as a result of mainly the whole lot went incorrect that would go incorrect,” Verstappen mentioned. “That most likely made it just a little bit worse. However I feel the place the place I completed is, on the finish of the day, the utmost that we might have accomplished.
“The brakes are just a little bit higher as a result of we have been allowed to alter the fabric, however the issue will not be solely the sensation within the brakes, which remains to be not the place I would like it to be, but additionally our tires are simply overheating, so after I’m braking there isn’t any feeling, as a result of it’s tremendous straightforward to lock fronts or rears on the similar time.”
Having gained in Japan every week earlier, Verstappen mentioned the observe format and floor in Bahrain uncovered Pink Bull’s weaknesses much more.
“Missing steadiness [is the cause], and it’s highlighted much more on this observe. When you haven’t any steadiness 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 one way or the other 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 truly had a worse weekend than final 12 months. So it’s a bit bizarre.”
