Dr Helmut Marko has expressed "no worries" over the likelihood of the brake issue recurring, which was behind Max Verstappen's unusual withdrawal from the Melbourne race.
The chief advisor for Red Bull highlighted that Verstappen has bounced back effectively from the disappointment.
"Unfortunately, defects like that happen sometimes," the veteran Austrian stated. "In the meantime, Max has been skiing in Japan in the most wonderful deep snow in the world."
When probed by the Austrian publication Osterreich on whether Verstappen's skiing could breach a well-known contractual stipulation against risky off-track pursuits, Marko playfully remarked, "I've already told you too much."
Regarding the brake caliper problem that seemingly caused the fiery incident in Melbourne, Marko conveyed to Laola1: "Max's brake broke and the exact cause is still being investigated."
"But it wasn't the caliper. It's more of an assembly issue, but that will be checked. I have no worries for Japan, that's not a problem," he confidently affirmed.
Marko also attributed Sergio Perez's lackluster performance in Australia to floor damage, explaining that "the lack of downforce also increasing tyre wear."
"Suzuka is now a power track that suits us and Max is always great there," he declared. "I'm very optimistic."
In Japan, Red Bull will miss the presence of Lee Stevenson, their longtime chief mechanic, now reported by Blick newspaper to be joining the Audi-owned Sauber team in Suzuka.
"He began his new job on Monday with a flight to Japan," noted esteemed journalist Roger Benoit.
Elsewhere, McLaren has announced its separation from David Sanchez, the former Ferrari aerodynamics chief, just three months after he took on the role of car concept technical director. Andrea Stella, the team boss, is set to step in temporarily.
"Upon our joint reflection, it became apparent that the role, responsibilities and ambitions associated with David's position did not align with our original expectations," McLaren stated.
Logan Sargeant, meanwhile, is slated to return to the Williams lineup in Japan after missing the Australian GP due to Alex Albon taking his car post a practice crash and chassis write-off.
"The team trackside and back at Grove has really pulled together in an impressive way to repair the car and deliver it to the track on time," Alex Albon expressed on Wednesday, "which we are all hugely thankful for." body check tags ::
