Marko questions Red Bull tactics after failed Verstappen qualifying

Helmut Marko has questioned Red Bull's tactics in qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix after Max Verstappen ended the session down in P9.

While teammate Sergio Perez will start from pole position, Verstappen missed out on setting a time during the second runs of Q3 due to a crash for Charles Leclerc bringing the session to an early end.

The Dutchman had not joined the track with enough time to set a lap, and Marko feels that the team could, in hindsight, have handled this better.

Marko: Maybe tactically we didn't handle this in the best way

"That Perez is on pole is very nice, but at the same time this is unfortunate for Max," Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF after qualifying.

"He put in incredible performances in all the earlier sessions, but this is unfortunate. Maybe we should have sent him out earlier, but we wanted to wait for the track, which was getting faster and faster.

"The front row of the grid would have been possible."

Marko is expecting a challenging race ahead for Verstappen.

"This was just bad luck in Q3, but in terms of speed he could compete. Maybe tactically we didn't handle this in the best way, but we have to see what to do," the team advisor said.

"Starting from ninth, that will be difficult for him."

Could Miami be a 'turbulent' race?

The starting grid looks a little different for the event in Miami, with the likes of Haas, Alpine and Alfa Romeo all making it into the top 10.

Marko believes that it could be an eventful start, particularly if the weather plays a role, and as such hopes that Red Bull's drivers can capitalise on this.

"[Perez] has to make sure he stays in front, while Max has to get to the front quickly," he explained.

"At this circuit, you can assume that Safety Cars can come into play and the weather will also be a factor.

"This could be a very turbulent race and hopefully Max can take advantage of the Safety Car, so not as was the case in Baku."