Red Bull have denied a theory from Martin Brundle that Max Verstappe𒉰n intentionally drove s𓂃lower last weekend at Zandvoort.

Verstappen was beate🗹n to victory at the F1 Dutch Grand Prix b𓃲y Lando Norris by an eye-opening margin of 22 seconds.

It caused Sky Sports broadcaster Brund𓆏le to speculate: “I would hazard a guess that it was not as fast as Max could go.

“He knew he couldn’t beat Lando.

“Dropping back a bit like that… it’s going to give the factory a ‘hurry 𝐆up’, I’d be sure of that.”

However, Red Bull🔯’s✤ Helmut Marko has now had a say.

“Martin Brundle's assumption that Max was deliberately driving slowly is ⛄not true, you can't say that,” Marko told .

“But when he saw that Landoไ was up and awa🌞y, he didn't risk anything anymore.”

Starting at Monza this weekend, for the F1 Italian Grand Pr♒ix, Red Bull know they must hit back against McLaren’s form.

Their lead in the constructors’ championship has been cut to just 30 points, while Verstappen leads Norris ꦍby 70 points in the drivers’ standings.

Marko insisted: “We now have to bring the balance back int𓆏o the car. We're📖 working hard, but it's difficult to say exactly when and how much new stuff will be added to the car.

“We just have to find our way baꦉck, because until the race in Shanghai or Suzuka, we had a car that was superior and optimal in terms of balance.

“If we manage to💮 do that again, the d✅rivers' confidence will be back, the car will slip less and the tyre wear will be more moderate.

“So it's not so much about simply finding new ♔parts. We need the predictability of the car that we had at the beginning of the season.

“It also has nothing to do with the tuning, rather something has come up with the new parts that has turn💃ed the balance into a negative.

“We'll see how it goes in M🅠onza, I obviously expeಞct McLaren to be strong again.

“But🌼 I hope that we can become 🦹more equal and fight for victory, because in Zandvoort you have to admit that we were outclassed.

“If th꧋ings continue like this, then the championship is in danger.”

Marko added that he retains belief Red Bull can find the answers to ♑their recent problems.

The constructors’ championship might dep💦end on it.