Marko optimistic for Verstappen: 'Maybe even more dominant'

Verstappen the favourite again

The Red Bull Ring will host two races this season, as it did in 2021, and that's not a bad thing for Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen. Not only is it Red Bull's home track, bringing a sea of Orange fans to the track for Verstappen, but it's especially good because it's a track that suits the RB16B well.

That was evident at the Styrian Grand Prix when Verstappen managed to dominate the entire weekend. ''The circuit will stay the same and the cars will stay the same. The only thing that will change is the tyres. So I expect we can show the same dominance again, or maybe even more, with the softer tyres,'' Marko told ServusTV.

Mercedes will strike back

Pirelli will bring softer tyres to the Red Bull Ring this weekend, and that doesn't usually benefit Mercedes. The Germans are better on Pirelli's harder tyres, so a track that doesn't suit them and even softer tyres won't be ideal for Mercedes. Still Marko does not want to talk about a future world title.

''There are circuits where Mercedes will be strong again. I am afraid Silverstone is one of those circuits. The goal for us is to build up a margin for the races where we can't win, and then take a two spot there a la Hamilton. That will continue to the end. We're still a long way from predicting the world title,'' concludes Red Bull's chief executive.