Marko does not see Verstappen as favourite in Spain: 'We lost it there'

22 June at 17:39

Position two is usually a good starting point for the Spanish Grand Prix; with the long straight towards the first corner and the slipstream to be had after the start. So for second-starting Max Verstappen, there is still everything to gain on Sunday, when he will try to outsmart polesitter Lando Norris.

However, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing's external advisor, thinks Verstappen has a tough task ahead. Speaking to the German version of Sky Sports, the Austrian said, "If we look at Friday's long runs, McLaren is the clear favourite. But with the changes we have made, we assume the tyre wear will be less."

Marko did not expect first row of starters

According to Marko, it will be a Grand Prix with two pit stops, where timing is going to be all-decisive. "We hope the safety car will come at the right time - or not at all," told the consultant, who was in any case "relieved" that Verstappen is at least on the front row of the grid.

"After the third practice, we didn't know at all whether we would be on the first two rows. In the end, we lost out against Lando in Turn 4. In the first and third sectors, we were faster. Everything was going in the right direction," said Marko, who thus saw Norris pass at the last minute.

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy