Helmut Marko has shed some more light on the DRS problems Max Verstappen encountered during qualifying and the race at the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen lost his final qualifying lap at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when the rear wing flap failed to open, handing the advantage title rival Charles Leclerc. Following overnight repairs, Red Bull's mechanics were called into action again shortly before the race as they carried out final checks and modifications. However, despite their efforts, the DRS continued to play up during the race and cost Verstappen valuable time in his battle against George Russell. Verstappen had fallen behind the Mercedes driver after an early trip through the gravel and was only able to clear him by changing his strategy.
Verstappen's DRS issue forces strategy change
Verstappen ultimately went on to win the race, with Leclerc retiring due to an engine problem and Russell falling behind as the strategies played out. Sergio Perez followed the Dutchman home to make it a Red Bull 1-2, with team advisor Marko expressing his relief after the chequered flag. "We are more than happy, because we had great difficulties," Marko told media, including RacingNews365.com . "The DRS often didn't open, but sometimes it did. That forced us to go from the original two-stopper to a three-stopper, because otherwise we couldn't pass Russell. "We also had problems with the temperature, but when we can drive in free air, we have proven to be the fastest car in the field."
Marko understands Verstappen's frustrations
Marko confirmed the "mechanical problem" was exactly the same as the one seen in Saturday's qualifying session. "As long as Max drove on the kerbs, the DRS would not open," he commented. "Then he got irritated and sometimes pressed the DRS button more often, causing it to close." Marko added that Verstappen's frustrations were "understandable" given the situation. "We had to solve the problem ourselves and thought we had succeeded in doing so after the modifications we carried out after qualifying, but apparently not," he summed up. Verstappen now leads Leclerc by six points in the Drivers' standings, while Red Bull have jumped 26 clear of Ferrari in the Constructors' battle.
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