Marko makes ‘typical’ Verstappen comment that may annoy Perez

F1 season preview as Max Verstappen looks to defend world title

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Helmut Marko admitted it was ‘typical’ of Max Verstappen to snatch the fastest lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix away from Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican secured his first victory of the season in Jeddah on Sunday, after finishing ahead of Verstappen.

The Dutchman’s second place finish was an impressive one, after originally starting the race in 15th place on the grid. One man he was unable to pass though was teammate Perez, as he went on to secure his fifth Formula 1 Grand Prix win.

He did however pip the Mexican star to the fastest lap. With two laps to go, Perez held a five-second advantage over Verstappen. As well as this, Perez revealed he was told by his team that he held the fastest lap, and to finish by keeping a ‘certain pace’.

In the other Red Bull cockpit, Verstappen was also keen to take the bonus point but was told the team were ‘not concerned with that’, to which he brutally responded ‘I am’. Unsurprisingly he went on to secure the fastest lap late on, snatching it from his team-mate.

Perez was clearly unimpressed with the miscommunication post-race, having commented: “I asked two laps from the end when they told me to keep a certain pace. They told me I had the fastest lap and to keep the pace at a certain pace. 

“I thought the communication was the same as Max, I think we need to review the different information and I just couldn’t push then in the end.” Red Bull advisor Marko however seemed less concerned with Verstappen and the breakdown in communication.

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He commented: “Typical Max on the last lap with the fastest race lap. That was uncontrollable. That’s just Max. Both were constantly asking who had the fastest lap and Max, of course, had waited until the last moment so that Perez could no longer counter.

“It means the lead in the world championship for him.” The single point for the fastest lap was an all-important one, as it means Verstappen leads his Red Bull team-mate by just one in the standings after two races.

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