Marko: Verstappen needs patience to win again

Oct.26 - Dr Helmut Marko has continued his criticism of F1 sensation Max Verstappen in the wake of the US grand prix.

Although the 19-year-old was voted 'driver of the day' by the fans, he actually had a troubled race -- including his inexplicable decision to make a pitstop without being called in.

It earned him a strong rebuke by Red Bull chiefs Christian Horner and Marko, the latter declaring: "We have 80 engineers and strategists, but it's all useless if a driver decides alone to come into the pits."

An unnamed figure from a rival team told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that Red Bull risks losing control of the talented Dutchman.

"Verstappen is incredibly quick, but I think he came to the box because he believed he would beat Ricciardo that way.

"With it he took away the chance for his team to be second. This is unacceptable. You have to play by the rules of your team," the voice said.

Now, Marko has criticised Verstappen for losing patience during the Austin race, when he was warned by Red Bull engineers to back off in his pursuit of Nico Rosberg.

"I'm not here to finish fourth!" Verstappen hit back.

But Marko says Verstappen was wrong.

"You can't demand too much of the tyres. He must learn this," the tough Austrian said.

"If you don't, you don't win any races, any championships. He needs to find the right balance between attacking and patience," Marko insisted.

Marko said the perfect example is Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who finished third in Austin but had his charge damaged by the safety car period triggered by Verstappen.

"Compared to Daniel, he (Verstappen) has substantially higher tyre wear. It doesn't make him faster."

An unnamed engineer agreed: "Verstappen showed again in the second stint that he pushes the tyres too hard. When he was warned on the radio, he said he doesn't want to finish fourth but Ricciardo was wiser."

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