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Still years of disadvantage for Verstappen and Red Bull: 'We hope for '26'
- Ludo van Denderen
Helmut Marko was honest after the Singapore GP: "Second place [in Singapore] was equivalent to a win for us." The external advisor of the team realised that all Max Verstappen could do was damage control, and talking to Motorsport-Total, he also said that Charles Leclerc was faster than the Dutchman on his final stint, therefore with bad luck, he could have missed out on finishing in P2.
If Lando Norris wins every remaining Grand Prix and Sprint, but Verstappen can finish in P2 everywhere, the Dutchman could still win the title, given that Daniel Ricciardo was able to get the addition point for the fastest lap in Singapore. However, according to Marko, "Only finishing second is far too little." However, it is not going to be easy to beat Lando Norris and his strong McLaren team this season, as for months now, the Woking-based team's car has been by far the best on the F1 grid.
Coincidentally (or not?), Red Bull Racing began to lose ground after Adrian Newey's departure was announced earlier this season. "Newey is no longer with us from March next year and is no longer involved in the current car. It's a rhetorical question. We have a broad-based team and that should solve this," Marko said about the matter.
Aging wind tunnel remains a problem
Rather, Marko believes the problem of the team has to do with their aging wing tunnel, meanwhile McLaren have new facilities. "A modern wind tunnel would help us. Our wind tunnel dates from just after World War II. That, of course, has its drawbacks. It takes a very long time to raise the temperature in it. The tunnel is out of date and I hope that in '26 our new wind tunnel can be put into operation," Marko concluded, confirming that it is currently under construction.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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28 September 2024
