Helmut Marko has expressed his frustration at Max Verstappen encountering technical trouble at one of the "worst circuits" on the F1 calendar for overtaking. Verstappen could only manage 10th during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after an engine problem left him without a representative lap time in Q3. It makes an already challenging weekend for the reigning World Champion even harder, with Red Bull lacking pace to championship rivals Ferrari from the outset. While Verstappen will start on the edge of the points, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will line up second and third respectively for the Scuderia, with overtaking opportunities around the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit at a premium.
Red Bull's optimism goes out of the window
Giving his reaction after qualifying, Red Bull advisor Marko was left to rue Verstappen's session falling to pieces. "We were very optimistic after Q2," Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF , with Verstappen showing solid pace up to Q3. "But on the first run Verstappen [locked up] on his out-lap and his front tyres were damaged, and on his second attempt he struggled with an engine problem." Marko is confident that Verstappen's engine will be in working order for the race, but rued the timing of the issue. "This is perhaps the worst circuit where this can happen, apart from Monaco or Singapore," he summed up. Sergio Perez will start directly behind Verstappen in the other Red Bull after falling at the second qualifying hurdle.
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