Marko Says Norris Will Face Backlash Over Verstappen Incident
Jul.2 - Dr Helmut Marko has hit out at Lando Norris following the McLaren driver's crash with Max Verstappen in Austria.
Red Bull's Verstappen was actually penalised for the high-profile incident, and large sections of the media have suggested it was a clear return of the Dutch 'bad boy' of the past.
And although Norris, 24, has been singled out as the most impressive young driver in the Formula 1 field at present, Red Bull consultant Marko was very unimpressed with the Briton's post-race behaviour in Austria.
For instance, Norris exclaimed that unless Verstappen accepts total blame for the incident, his friendship with the triple world champion could be over.
"Norris's behaviour on the radio was pathetic," Marko has now told Osterreich newspaper.
"His comments that Max should apologise are also not very helpful. But they will meet to talk things out."
Marko reveals that Norris and Verstappen did not share a flight, as per usual, after the incident.
"They usually fly together," he said, "but this time they were travelling separately. So Max had a quiet return flight.
"Things like this happen, and I would write it off as a racing accident - although Norris was the more likely one to have overstepped the mark," the 81-year-old added.
When asked if Norris' inexperience at the front of the field was a factor, Marko answered: "Absolutely."
Red Bull's dominance has clearly now ended in 2024, but Marko says the team is determined to improve.
"We'll hit back, we'll bring an upgrade to Silverstone," he said. "But as I always say, our goal is the world championship, and the Austrian GP helped us to achieve that."
As for the high-profile public spat between Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen in Austria, Marko insisted: "I'm not playing those games.
"We want to win the championship, and to do that we need to join forces.
"As long as Red Bull gives Max a car capable of winning and there is a certain harmony in the team, he will always fulfil his contract."
When asked if the situation might change if Mercedes is able to offer Verstappen a faster car, Marko replied: "If, if, if. At the moment, that is not the case."
He rejected speculation that Red Bull has struck clear trouble with its own engine project for 2026 in collaboration with Ford.
"Guess who is spreading these rumours?" Marko said. "We are right on schedule.
"There isn't a plan B. Our engine has to work. It will be exciting to see who will really be at the front. But in terms of horsepower, we will definitely be there."
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The other way around
LN was over his head. He is young and talented but maturity comes with experience. He isn’t there yet. Complaining and whining is not what champions are made of. He destroyed his own car by racing back to the pits. His decision. Either move on or suffer making bad decisions in the future. Tired of all the blather regarding this racing incident.
Everyone always brings up Schumacher and Senna as the gold standard of racing champions, who by the way were “dirty” drivers. Racing is to win, either accept that premise or find another sport to comment on.
I think enough is enough, time to shut the F1 pundits up as the latest news with Johnny Herbert implying that Maxes father, Joss, is responsible for Sunday's incident between Norris & Verstappen, Joss apparently teaching Max to be aggressive, it's gone far enough. God forbid if there is an accident involving MV & someone dies will Max immediately get the blame. I think Johnny Herbert should be carefully what he says.
Susan, I agree wholeheartedly with what your saying, don't run before you can walk which Lando can't get into his head, maybe being beaten by Gr& Piastry will knock some sence into him. LOL.
Lando's 115 races versus Max's 196 is an indicator of the level of experience they bring to the grid. Max has had the benefit of driving a superlative chassis, while Lando has been languishing in a mostly ho-hum chassis until this year.
So now Lando has a hot car, and DRS to boot, and figures it's his time to shine. As Susan already mentioned - the whole point is to win - but there are some choices out there that require experience to choose wisely.
Lando chose poorly and decided he was going to be right, rather than happy.
And what's all this noise about Jos and Horner having a scrap?
Im just happy , selfishly happy , we have GR,LN and AA on the grid, not Lewis obviously because his Dad had to work 6 or 11 jobs and they lived in shithole :his words: before Ron signed him,( Lewises childhood home before his dad knobbed someone else causing a divorce was recently sold for 1.3 Million , inspiring the next generation of British f2/f3 drivers and there mega rich parents to fund then to f1, ahhh the truth
No necesariamente un campeon debe ser desleal y "cochino" en la pista, ejemplos sobran. Partamos por Alonzo, Mansell,Prost, Steward y para que decir Fangio, un caballero. De Senna y Schumacher hay que imitar lo bueno no sus riesgosas e imprudentes acciones en la pista, que comprometían la seguridad de sus rivales. El problema de Max es que no le enseñaron que tambien se puede perder, como todo en la vida.
Estoy con Lando, lo encuentro muy talentoso y si, tal vez deba aprender a estar en estas instancias de punta, donde nadie entrega algo.
tendremos un lindo campeonato de ahora en adelante.
Saludos
Totally agree. 😂
Now I'm getting fed up with Johnny Herbert as he's always slagging off red bull & Max, he's lucky to have his job, now he's steward & still doing it,, shouldn't stewards be neutral & only say what they have to. Steward or pundit you can't have it both ways Herbie.
wheres he employed now , how bad have you got to be to let go by Sky lol
Apparently he's a steward Shropp & if hes commentating on driver's, thats being, bious., & unfair.
Oh yeah , id agree on that when stewarding, either before the race or after he shouldn't comment in the media about drivers, course they Shoulddd.. be neutral but, Johnnybag Herbert always been a bit of a mouth to far,maybe thats why Sky got shut of him who knows.!