Max Verstappen

Marko reveals WHY Verstappen snubbed Saudi debrief

Harry Smith Thursday 23 March 2023 18:01 Updated: 08:29

Marko reveals WHY Verstappen snubbed Saudi debrief

Dr Helmut Marko has shone a light on Max Verstappen's absence from Red Bull's post-qualifying team briefing in Saudi Arabia.

The Dutchman was ruled out of contention in Q2 after a driveshaft failure forced him to limp back to the garage before getting the chance to set a representative lap time.

Forced to start the Grand Prix from 15th on the grid, Verstappen was visibly annoyed when leaving the cockpit.

The Dutchman was not shy to air his frustrations with Red Bull's reliability throughout the race weekend.

Verstappen was reportedly absent from the post-qualifying team debrief, but Marko has now explained the reasoning behind the Dutch star's no-show.

Verstappen recovered to P2 on Sunday, while team-mate Perez took the victory

Debrief debacle

Speaking in an interview with German news outfit oe24, Marko was unbothered by Verstappen's absence from the post-qualifying debrief.

"Max had just gotten over a bad flu," Marko explained.

"Did you see what he looked like when he got out?"

The Austrian was understanding of Verstappen's frustrations with Red Bull's reliability issues.

"It really didn't go well for him.

"He wanted to go to bed as soon as possible."

Verstappen ended up finishing in second place after making his way through the grid in swift fashion on Sunday, and set the fastest lap in the final lap of the race to ensure he remains top of the drivers' championship standings.

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for NEW F1 role as star makes COMEBACK at Las Vegas Grand Prix - GPFans Recap

1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

Yesterday 21:33

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:47

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:02

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Yesterday 19:18

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY