Red Bull says Verstappen fully strong again for next GP
Jul.27 - Max Verstappen is preparing for this weekend's Hungarian GP with little more than a stiff neck, Red Bull top official Dr Helmut Marko has revealed.
The team has been highly critical of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' behaviour surrounding the title contenders' recent high-speed clash at Silverstone.
"I feared it would take a little longer after the severe accident before Max was fully strong again. So that's good news," Marko told Sport1.
He also said Verstappen will look to pull his championship lead back out again "with fair means".
"There are no thoughts of revenge," Marko insisted.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has clarified in just the last few days that the Austrian team is still looking into whether it can challenge Hamilton's arguably lenient penalty.
"We have data to back us up," Marko claims. "But you can also see it with the naked eye.
"Hamilton was clearly behind and miles from the apex of the corner."
Horner has estimated the damage bill for Verstappen's 51G crash at EUR 1.5 million, with Marko clarifying that "it costs around 750,000 euros to build a new chassis".
"The old one is destroyed," he confirmed. "The engine is with Honda in Japan. They cannot say yet whether it can be used again. If it can't, there could still be grid penalties for us."
Marko also denies that Dutchman Verstappen will now modulate his aggression in the wake of the incident which left him briefly hospitalised.
"No," said the 78-year-old. "He didn't do anything wrong."
But according to Hamilton's boss, Toto Wolff, the seven time world champion cannot be blamed for the situation.
"You can see from the comments - especially the drivers - that it is not very clear," he told n-tv. "It is probably a 50-50 situation.
"Leclerc and Alonso, for example, blame Verstappen," said the Mercedes boss. "But I actually don't want to apportion blame at all. What happened between them was tough racing."
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If the loss of one car to a racing incident is so impactful to Red Bull Racing, I'd say its time Marko and Horner shut the f up and go out and raise more funds through sponsorships etc. These 2 are to Formula 1 what Neymar's diving antics are to football. If that one incident is going to derail them for the season, then clearly they're not as great as they build themselves up to be. Here's an idea, if the Red Bull car of Max is so fragile, wrap it in airbags or pillows. Or better yet, take Max and Checo out of F1 and put them in go carts or something. Cause clearly the team management aren't cut out to handle the pressure of F1, even if the drivers are.
I know Horner and Marko are just politicking but enough is enough. Toto should send them some cheese to go with all the whining. Odd that you never heard this kind of whining in the days of Senna Schumacher Prost Mansell etc. To this extent. And in fairness to Max, I haven't seen anything published where he's whining or complaining. Though I also don't hang on everything said by RB either.
Dave, no shortage of $$$ at RB, there's a spending cap. Hopefully, with VER driving they set aside a huge stash for car repair. Maybe they could pass on the lobster in the pit condo and eat hotdogs.
why not yes afterall Toto said he'd be eating Hamburgers after the SS race, except for Lewis, hes having a plant burger or sum other deliciously non meat based product
having just watched the start of F9 movie and the Nascar race, I can see where Hamilton got the idea on how to attempt the murder of Max Verstappen, Hamilton should have been prosecuted for attempted murder, even if he was told by his boss to ''do what is necessary'' to win the race, when ego becomes desire to win no matter how, it's time for Hamilton to go, just watch F9- the fast and furious latest episode, and it's like a repeat of the British GP.
John, you are actually equating F1 to a video arcade movie? A bridge too far, my friend, a bridge too far.
I think he may be..., but there's a film " A bridge to far " a classic .. the remake is being made by netflix though called
" A corner to far,- only the Apex can hear you scream " .
John... How long have you watched F1? By your premise Michael Schmacher would be serving multiple life sentences. You said you watch NASCAR. You've never in your life ever seen those guys run each other off the track on purpose? Btw.... thats not what Lewis did. It was a racing incident. 2 guys who took and gave no quarter.
Would you be screaming the same vitriol had it been Hamilton in the wall instead of Max? Please.
suspend Hamilton for 3 races, and charge him with attempted murder
Wait a minute, John, an attempted murder charge and only a 3 race suspension? Strip him of his WDC's, cut off his dreadlocks, cancel his knighthood, negate his British citizenship and banish him to Australia. Wait, that last one is actually a reward. Instead, make him live out his days in Stevenage driving a Jaxi.
Ror hell never live in Stevenage , its a total Slum , lewis even said so, but then retracted it , mmm bit of a theme going on there, as for his citizenship, hes running for congress i heard so that wont worry him .
I see, mmmm so after his 3 race suspension , under the threat of a murder conviction he comes back and wins the championship, brilliant plan , just one or two flaws i can see, to many beers john, get an early night
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