Marko: Verstappen's driving style not working with new F1 cars
Baku, April 21, AZERTAC
Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen is currently struggling to click with Formula 1's new machines, resulting in a slight lack of confidence behind the wheel, according to RN365.
Helmut Marko has said that Red Bull are having the "opposite" problem to Ferrari this year, after Formula 1 introduced revolutionary new technical regulations for 2022.
While the two Scuderia drivers were usually very close together on track in 2021, Max Verstappen enjoyed a clear edge in performance over teammate Sergio Perez.
In the first three races of 2022, Charles Leclerc has had the advantage over the struggling Carlos Sainz, but Verstappen has struggled to put any distance between himself and Perez.
Even in Saudi Arabia - an event Verstappen won - Perez had been leading from pole position with ease in the early stages until an unfortunately-timed Safety Car compromised his race.
Marko has explained that Verstappen's style of driving means he's struggling to mesh with the new cars, resulting in the role reversals at the two teams.
"Perez is much closer to Max than was the case in 2021," Marko told German publication F1-Insider.
"The simplest explanation for this is the new cars with less downforce suit some drivers better and others less. Sainz is an intelligent, very hard worker.
"In Australia, he was closer, but then he was unlucky with the red flag and later with the steering wheel. Perez is very happy with the set-up of the car.
"Max finds it even harder. He hasn't found the right balance yet and, therefore, doesn't have the fullest confidence in the car. His aggressive driving style doesn't quite go together with the new cars."
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