Marko calls for Red Bull's F1 rivals to help: 'It'll play into our hands'
F1 News
Red Bull Racing's external advisor Helmut Marko has explained why the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix will be "more difficult" for the Austrian team. Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in Saturday's USA sprint race, and finished on the podium on Sunday. However, Marko is not entirely satisfied with the upgrades applied in Austin.
Are Red Bull satisfied with the updates?
Red Bull had high expectations for the upgrades. Weeks in advance, key members of the team were looking forward to the race in Austin as they suggested performance was coming. Marko was asked if the team are satisfied with the changes made. "Not quite. We couldn't maintain the pace we showed in the sprint, either with the medium tyre or the hard tyre. We had understeer, but we don't know why that suddenly occurred. In any case, we are happy to have extended our lead by five points," Marko told Sky Sports Germany.
The one-two by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz has made Ferrari dangerously close in the constructors' championship. "When the track suits Ferrari and everything is right, they are very strong, but I don't think they can repeat that at all circuits," he explained. "I see Ferrari as track-specific and I don't believe this speed is transferable on every track. In the constructors' championship, it will be damn close."
Why Marko expects Mexico to be more difficult
The 81-year-old Austrian does not expect an easy race for Red Bull in Mexico City. "It will be more difficult. You can't underestimate George Russell, he had an insane pace. If he had started at the front, it would have been different," Marko stated. "It will be a battle between four F1 teams: Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and us. If they take turns performing, it will play into our hands. The race in Austin was a bit heavy on the heart though, I hope it's not like that every race."
This article has been created in collaboration with Nicole Mulder