Red Bull reflects on missteps in the Austrian Grand Prix

Red Bull's Helmut Marko has identified several factors that contributed to Max Verstappen's late-race collision with Lando Norris in the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.

The incident, which occurred in the closing stages of the race at the Red Bull Ring, has prompted a thorough analysis of the team's strategy and communication.

Track limits and missed opportunities

A key point of contention was Red Bull's failure to inform Verstappen about Norris's ongoing track limits investigation.

Marko, speaking to ServusTV, admitted,

"We knew that an investigation with track limits was underway against Lando. But we didn't know whether and how he would be punished."

This lack of communication potentially cost Verstappen the opportunity to strategically allow Norris to pass, avoiding the eventual collision.

Technical challenges and tyre strategy

The race outcome was further influenced by a combination of technical and strategic issues:

Verstappen's second pitstop proved problematic, causing a delay that allowed Norris to gain a crucial DRS advantage.

Tyre choice proved critical in the latter stages of the race. Red Bull opted to fit Verstappen with used medium compound tyres for the final stint, while McLaren equipped Norris with a fresh set of mediums.

Verstappen experienced increased degradation and reduced grip, whereas Norris, benefiting from fresher rubber, was able to maintain consistent lap times and challenge for the lead.

The combination of the earlier pit stop delay and the contrasting tyre strategies ultimately led to the close racing and subsequent collision between Verstappen and Norris.

Marko explained,

"Our assumption that the hard tyres would be the better choice in hot weather... was not the case. The temperatures were lower, meaning that Lando had fresh tyres in the last stint and we had used ones."

Championship implications

Despite the incident, Marko highlighted a silver lining:

"We've extended our championship lead, both in the constructors' championship and in the drivers' championship."

This perspective underscores Red Bull's focus on long-term goals amid race-specific challenges.

Aggressive driving and track limits

The intensity of the Verstappen-Norris battle raised questions about driving standards.

Marko noted,

"Both drove unnecessarily hard,"

and expressed concern that the fight

"degenerated into who was pushing who more, who was violating more track limits, instead of concentrating on finishing fairly."