Verstappen’s cautious approach cost him podium chance in China, says Marko
Max Verstappen missed a golden opportunity for a podium finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, according to Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko.
The four-time world champion finished fourth – the same position he started from – but Marko believes more was possible.
“In the second stint on the hard tyre, we were as fast as the leaders,” Marko told German Sky Sports. “We lost the race because of the first stint on the medium tyre.”
The start proved particularly problematic for Verstappen.
He dropped two positions early on, falling behind Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc – a setback that might have affected his tire management strategy.
“Maybe it was still playing in Max’s head that the medium tyre was quite vulnerable in the sprint race,” Marko explained. “Maybe he was too too cautious because of that.”
Verstappen did manage to recover those lost positions in his second stint, even closing in on George Russell who claimed the final podium spot behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
But the damage was already done.
“By then it was too late,” said the 81-year-old Austrian.
Marko remains convinced that with a better start and more aggressive pace early in the race, Verstappen could have secured at least a podium finish in what turned out to be a challenging weekend for Red Bull.
