Helmut Marko: There may be surprises in the race

      In qualifying at Zandvoort Max Verstappen set the third-fastest time, trailing the McLaren drivers by less than three-tenths of a second. Red Bull's motorsport adviser Helmut Marko called such a gap a pleasant surprise and hinted that Max could fight for victory in the race.

      "Our engineers did a fantastic job, as did Max," Marko said after qualifying on German Sky Sport. "This morning we were eight-tenths of a second off, and in qualifying we only lost time in the first sector.

      This result was a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, we are concerned that we had to wait until qualifying for the car to work properly.

      I believe our efforts will pay off in the race. Max knows which parts he can be quick on. On scrubbed tires we showed the same pace as McLaren. There may be surprises in the race."

      Commenting on Isack Hadjar's fourth place in qualifying, the best result of his career, Helmut Marko praised the Racing Bulls driver: "Hadjar never ceases to amaze. On Friday he twice had power unit problems, but he managed to put them behind him. He always gets the result when it matters."