The poison cup for Max Verstappen is not yet completely empty after last weekend in Mexico, says Dr. Helmut Marko. After a double time penalty, points on his license and a poor sixth place, the Red Bull CEO has even more bad news for Verstappen. There will most likely be a grid penalty in Brazil.
Things were definitely not going well for Verstappen last Sunday in Mexico City. With a second starting spot and Lando Norris behind him, he was in a good position for a good result, but this did not happen. Verstappen only finished sixth, partly due to a huge time penalty he was imposed for causing two incidents. Verstappen also received two penalty points on his license and he already saw problems with his engine earlier in the weekend. However, the poison cup is not yet empty. Verstappen will have to deal with a new blow towards Brazil. He will probably have to take a grid penalty due to an engine change. If no other parts need to be changed, Verstappen’s penalty will be limited to five places.
Marko announced in the German media that Red Bull feels forced to change Verstappen’s power source. This was already expected, but the technical problems in Mexico only made this even more necessary. “With a grid penalty we lose five places. That is less drastic than if we [met de huidige motor, red.] would be slower again,” says Marko Sky Germany. According to him, Verstappen drove in Mexico with a damaged engine and that cost him quite some top speed on the straights.
