Photo: Race Pictures

Marko accuses Antonelli of aiding Norris in the title fight against Verstappen

19:51, 30 Nov

Updated: 20:01, 30 Nov

bySamson Ero

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has pointed the finger at Kimi Antonelli, claiming the Mercedes driver aided Lando Norris’ title challenge by allowing a late overtake.

“It was so obvious.”

- Helmut Marko

The 82-year-old, who spoke to GPblog at the Qatar Grand Prix, stressed how displeased he was with the Mercedes driver’s move, which allowed Norris to gain two additional points at the Lusail race.

Asked if he was annoyed by the late move made by Norris on the Mercedes driver, he responded:

“Yes, because it was twice where he more or less waved Lando by.”

Lando Norris made a late overtake on Kimi Antonelli in Qatar - Photo: Race Pictures

Pressed further on whether he thinks Antonelli let the McLaren driver through, Marko continued:

“It was so obvious. But the first time, it was the same.”

The final stretch of the Qatar Grand Prix witnessed Norris make a late position gain after he took advantage of a late moment from Antonelli to secure fourth place in the race.

Marko on McLaren’s pitstop

Marko also admitted he was surprised by McLaren’s decision not to pit under the safety car, adding that he did not expect the Papaya team to miss out on victory in Qatar.

“I was wondering, and I thought, that’s our chance, because I was so surprised that they didn’t even win,” Marko said.

“We just did our own calculations and strategy. And yeah, we were in front, and from there on, we were just managing the race,” he concluded.

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