formula 1
Verstappen is annoyed: “They looked like idiots”
World champion Max Verstappen is on the track in Spielberg. photo
© Hasan Bratic/dpa
The narrow route markings cause trouble in Austria. Many Formula 1 drivers have their best lap times deleted. The first calls for change are getting loud.
Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has complained about the chaos caused by many canceled lap times in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
“We looked like idiots, like amateurs – unbelievable!” The Dutchman complained after his pole position in Spielberg. “It was very difficult to stay within the track limits. We don’t do it on purpose, but at our speed and in these fast corners it’s difficult to judge correctly where the white line is.”
Although the Red Bull driver ultimately prevailed just ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari, a fast time was also canceled for him because he did not stay within the markings on the course. Overall, this offense was punished 47 times in the time hunt. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was hit particularly hard.
In the second qualifying section, the Mexican didn’t even score a lap on the tarmac and was eliminated prematurely in 15th place. The chances for the World Cup runner-up in the race on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky) are bad to make it far forward. “The speed was there. The line story is an unfortunate thing,” said Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who defended Perez. The 33-year-old was just unlucky, “but he had the speed for the front,” said Marko.
“He just needs a sense of achievement now”
However, Perez has not made it into the top ten for the fourth time in a row in a qualifier. “He just needs a sense of achievement now,” said Marko, who also complained about the very narrow track markings. “You have to come up with a different solution for next year,” said the 80-year-old Austrian.
Before the Grand Prix, Saturday in Styria is all about the sprint. First, the starting line-up will be determined in the sprint shootout, followed by the mini-race over 100 kilometers from 4:30 p.m. (Sky). Perez won the first competition of this kind this year in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.