Helmut Marko frustrated by ‘complete misjudgement’ Red Bull made this season that cost Max Verstappen

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Red Bull Racing have found themselves on the back foot ever since the Miami Grand Prix this season.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez recorded three one-two finishes at the start of the season, but Red Bull took a step backwards as they tried to keep up with the brilliant strides forward the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have made throughout the year.

Only McLaren have consistently improved their performance but Red Bull have only been able to watch on as they lost their grasp on the Constructors’ Championship and have seen Verstappen’s lead in the driver’s standings slowly fade away.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Lando Norris still looks unlikely to leapfrog his Dutch rival before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, although one collision or technical failure for the Red Bull star would suddenly make things very interesting.

Red Bull have extremely high standards and Helmut Marko is someone who drives that behind the scenes.

The team’s chief advisor was speaking to Motorsport Magazin’s YouTube channel before the United States Grand Prix and highlighted a major error Red Bull made after the summer break.

Even when Red Bull don’t have the fastest car, they’re well known for being extremely well-drilled in the pit lane and for nailing their strategies.

However, Marko has pointed out how badly wrong Red Bull got the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort which potentially cost Verstappen another home win.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko? Everything to know

Helmut Marko laments ‘complete misjudgement’ by Red Bull this season

Talking about the issues Red Bull have faced this year, Marko said: “The car needs a better and wider band [to work in] and it has to be more predictable.

“It has gradually become more and more clear [that the car isn’t working as expected] and I said in Austria at the Grand Prix that it was an incredible qualifying lap by Max on the short track.

“I think it was a quick pit stop or something like that in the race and Lando was there, although I think the window on the Red Bull Ring looks extreme.

“So, in Zandvoort, we thought that if you were fastest down the straight, then an overtake would not be possible.

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“A complete misjudgement, he [Norris] drove away from us.

“In Spa, strangely enough, overtaking was practically impossible, but we should have gradually fallen further back and it was mainly Max who managed to earn us higher positions.

“But, at some point, it became clear we have to find speed, we have to have a car with which Max can attack again.”

Max Verstappen went against Red Bull factory with Dutch Grand Prix car changes

Marko has praised Verstappen for how he’s improved his communication with his engineers this season.

It’s a trait that Sebastian Vettel notoriously developed and helped him win four championships during his time with Red Bull.

However, Verstappen has also been extremely demanding of his team throughout their recent difficulties and wants everyone around him to be on his level.

At one point during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen made changes to his Red Bull that the factory wasn’t aware of.

It highlights that a disconnect still exists between the feedback he and Perez are delivering and what’s being done to improve the car away from the track.

Red Bull have to hope that the work done during the autumn break is to Verstappen’s liking if he’s going to win a fourth straight championship.