Now Red Bull takes on the role of the underdog: 'Mercedes the fastest in the race'

Where Mercedes managed to take victory in Bahrain while Red Bull looked the stronger team, it was perhaps the other way around in Imola. Hamilton came closer to Verstappen on worn intermediates and on the dry weather tyres we didn't really seen the two in action. Helmut Marko thinks his team was slower in Imola than Mercedes.

Mercedes the fastest

''I think Mercedes had the faster car in Imola, over the race distance that is. Over a single lap we were faster. But I think that's mainly to do with the lower temperatures. And the tyre management of the Mercedes chassis is a little bit better at the moment'', Marko said to ServusTV.

The Austrian said he was shocked when Verstappen went into a spin while warming up his tyres, but Marko was relieved that the Dutchman kept his car on the track and maintained his leading position. The victory was important for Red Bull, but they're still a long way from their goal.

F1 in 2022

''The goal is of course to become world champions in 2021. We need this euphoria, and also the passion and enthusiasm. On the other hand, there are still 19 races (on paper there are 21 races to go) to go and we have to give everything'', said Marko. The question is how the new regulations of 2022 will play a role in 2021.

In 2021 there is a budget cap and that means the top teams cannot be careless with their money. They have to think about 2022 at some point too. ''The problem will arise before the summer break when all capacity will be put on the development of the 2022 car. However, the point is that if we both stay so close, I don't think either Mercedes or us - and certainly we won't - will stop further development'', concluded Red Bull's top executive.