Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has accepted that the team’s chances of Formula 1 title success are “over” after what he described as a “black day” for Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The reigning World Champion was punted out of the race on the first lap, after being struck by the Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3.
Verstappen’s DNF brings to an end his second-longest points-scoring streak – and the fourth-longest in F1 history – which leaves him 46 points behind race-winner Lando Norris in the championship, and 61 behind Oscar Piastri.
The Dutchman has been consistently sceptical about his chances of retaining the Drivers’ title throughout this season, but Marko has now delivered a damning verdict on his chances.
“This is a black day,” the Austrian told Sky DE. “The gap is almost impossible to make up. If nothing special happens, we have to assume that the championship is over.”
Marko: Antonelli ‘rammed us off’ to deny podium possibility
Marko theorised that Verstappen would have had the pace to contend for a podium position, after having started a disappointing seventh due to a late yellow flag in qualifying.
However, his chances were over almost immediately when Antonelli, looking to work his way up the order himself, locked up and t-boned the RB21.
“Max had a good start and then went outside before Turn 3 to avoid trouble,” Marko said. “Kimi came out of nowhere and completely rammed us off with [locked] wheels.
“The analysis shows that we could have competed for the podium. Mercedes was not fast and the Ferraris were not really overwhelming either. McLaren was out of reach.
“You didn’t see them again, but as I said, a podium finish would have been possible. At a start you can take risks and you have to be prepared for someone behind you to do something stupid.”
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