'Both Red Bull drivers at fault,' says unhappy Marko

©WRI

A visibly very upset Helmut Marko held both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo accountable for the pair's crash in Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Red Bull team mates were locked in a thrilling battle at the outset, racing wheel-to-wheel and even banging wheels on occasions. The hard racing was marginal at times but came to a premature conclusion after 39 laps when Ricciardo rammed in the rear of his Verstappen on the run down to Turn 1.

Red Bull motorsport boss was unimpressed with the pair's antics.

"We let the drivers race and then they are doing that. Unbelievable. Both were wrong," said Marko.

"It was a racing accident between the two, there was not more fault for one or the other.

"We always let the drivers race, we don't have a number one, we don't have a number two, but we expect responsibility from the drivers."

Verstappen: 'Racing was fair with Daniel but crash was unnecessary'

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner echoed Marko's comments, insisting both drivers were now in the "dog house".

"They both recognise that they screwed up today and will be apologising to the team and to all members of the team," Horner told Sky Sports.

"We allow them to race and allow them to go wheel-to-wheel. We spoke to them in team meetings about giving each other space, this was culmination of two guys talking things into their own hands, which shouldn't have happened.

"There were probably three incidents between them through the race. They touched wheels and were told to calm it down, we don't want to interfere with them going wheel-to-wheel. We are not apportioning blame one way or the other, they are both to blame for this.

"Our intention is to continue to let them race but they have to show respect and give space. They have been reminded that they are part of a team, they are highly paid indivudals with the team's interest at heart. The message was delivered very clearly.

"They are both in the doghouse. They will apologise to all of the staff before Barcelona."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.