Marko predicts Verstappen's biggest rival: 'In the race they are better'

Helmut Marko is a happy man after Saturday in China. A win for Max Verstappen in the sprint race and a one-two in qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Red Bull Racing advisor is hoping for a fierce battle between the Ferraris and McLarens behind both RB20s.

Who will be Verstappen's biggest rival on Sunday to hold him back from his fourth win in five Formula 1 races? "I think it will be Sergio Perez. The Ferraris performed disappointingly today, but in the race it will be different. I hope a DRS train will form behind us," Marko said to German Sky Sports' cameras.

Marko: 'With Max it should work'

Unlike other years, from this year F1 teams were allowed to make adjustments to the cars after the sprint race. However, Red Bull did not choose to make any adjustments to the set-up because, according to Marko, it was already optimal for dry conditions. That proved to be the right choice, as Verstappen and Perez together occupied the front row of the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Marko also expects few problems for the race. "Only when it got wet did it not go so well," he told ServusTV. No more rain is forecast for the rest of the race weekend, which should put Red Bull "in a good position", according to Marko. "With Max there, it should be fine," the Austrian concluded.