Jul.2 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has hit out at Lando Norris following the McLaren driver’s crash with Max Verstappen in Austria.
Purple Bull’s Verstappen was really penalised for the high-profile incident, and huge sections of the media have recommended it was a transparent return of the Dutch ‘unhealthy boy’ of the previous.
And though Norris, 24, has been singled out as essentially the most spectacular younger driver within the Formulation 1 discipline at current, Purple Bull marketing consultant Marko was very unimpressed with the Briton’s post-race behaviour in Austria.
As an illustration, Norris exclaimed that until Verstappen accepts complete blame for the incident, his friendship with the triple world champion might be over.
“Norris’s behaviour on the radio was pathetic,” Marko has now advised Osterreich newspaper.
“His feedback that Max ought to apologise are additionally not very useful. However they’ll meet to speak issues out.”
Marko reveals that Norris and Verstappen didn’t share a flight, as per ordinary, after the incident.
“They normally fly collectively,” he mentioned, “however this time they had been travelling individually. So Max had a quiet return flight.
“Issues like this occur, and I might write it off as a racing accident – though Norris was the extra probably one to have overstepped the mark,” the 81-year-old added.
When requested if Norris’ inexperience on the entrance of the sphere was an element, Marko answered: “Completely.”
Purple Bull’s dominance has clearly now resulted in 2024, however Marko says the staff is decided to enhance.
“We’ll hit again, we’ll convey an improve to Silverstone,” he mentioned. “However as I at all times say, our aim is the world championship, and the Austrian GP helped us to realize that.”
As for the high-profile public spat between Purple Bull staff boss Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen in Austria, Marko insisted: “I’m not taking part in these video games.
“We need to win the championship, and to try this we have to be part of forces.
“So long as Purple Bull offers Max a automobile able to successful and there’s a sure concord within the staff, he’ll at all times fulfil his contract.”
When requested if the scenario may change if Mercedes is ready to supply Verstappen a quicker automobile, Marko replied: “If, if, if. In the mean time, that isn’t the case.”
He rejected hypothesis that Purple Bull has struck clear hassle with its personal engine undertaking for 2026 in collaboration with Ford.
“Guess who’s spreading these rumours?” Marko mentioned. “We’re proper on schedule.
“There isn’t a plan B. Our engine has to work. It is going to be thrilling to see who will actually be on the entrance. However when it comes to horsepower, we will certainly be there.”
