Marko laments “massive problem” that caused Verstappen’s P7 qualifying
Both Red Bulls ended up outside the top five on Saturday in Bahrain
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Helmut Marko revealed that a “massive problem” led to Max Verstappen’s disappointing qualifying session in the Bahrain desert Saturday night. The Dutchman could only secure P7, and will start tomorrow’s grand prix just one place behind his championship rival Lando Norris.
“It was worse than expected because we changed a few things on the car which we thought would be an improvement, then all of a sudden we had this brake problem,” Marko told reporters after the session. “It was a massive problem, they could see it on the data, but we don’t know where it came from.”
The Red Bull racing advisor said that Yuki Tsunoda, who finished P10, didn’t suffer any problems. “It was only Max’s car,” he explained.
Viewers heard Verstappen complaining on the team radio about his “terrible” brakes, however Marko said the braking issue had “nothing to do” with the car’s new set-up. “It was not a smooth qualifying, but both cars were in the top 10, so that was a good achievement,” he continued. “And without the braking problems, it would have been P3 or P4.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Meanwhile, Marko praised Tsunoda’s Q3 performance, noting that the Japanese driver has been “going in the right direction” since his promotion to Red Bull last weekend. “His first lap was deleted [for track limits] and he still didn't lose his nerves, he stayed calm, and he was improving continuously,” he said. “That's what we're expecting from him.”
The Austrian also praised rookie Isack Hadjar’s “very competitive” performance in the RB. “Points are still possible,” he said of the 20-year-old Frenchman, who will start from P12 tomorrow.
As for Liam Lawson, who was unceremoniously replaced by Tsunoda last week, Marko said he was “slowly coming up to speed.” He curtly added: “Generally that is OK.”
Photos from Bahrain GP - Practice & Qualifying
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday
Share Or Save This Story
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
Was Baku really Max Verstappen's best chance to win in F1 2026?
Max Verstappen was "nightmare fuel" for George Russell in Baku, says Alex Brundle
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Isack Hadjar injured his wrist during F1 2026 summer break
Why Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GP
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
Portugal to drop off 2027 WRC calendar
Jack Aitken eyes first IMSA GTP title at Petit Le Mans amid ‘Bittersweet’ solo championship fight
Dörr targets DTM future with McLaren as three-year programme ends
Why there’s no perfect solution to the WEC safety car conundrum
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
How George Russell claimed his career-best pole margin in F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifying
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments