Max Verstappen is driving the Red Bull RB20.
Helmut Marko has admitted Red Bull will “have a problem” if the RB20 is uncompetitive at the Spanish Grand Prix later this month after Max Verstappen’s father Jos claimed the team’s dominance is over.
Having produced the most dominant campaign in history in F1 2023, winning all but one of the 22 races, Red Bull had been expected to dominate once again this year.
Helmut Marko expects Spanish GP to provide clearer Red Bull picture
Verstappen seemed to be on track for a fourth consecutive World Championship title after clinching victories in four out of the first five races of F1 2024. Notably, Red Bull achieved three one-two finishes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, further solidifying his dominance.
In recent weeks, Red Bull’s dominance has been challenged as McLaren and Ferrari emerged victorious in Miami and Monaco respectively, indicating a growing vulnerability for the former.
Verstappen could only manage sixth in Monte Carlo and now sits just 31 points ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ standings, with the Dutchman’s father Jos claiming the result signalled the end of Red Bull’s period of dominance.
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Verstappen Sr expressed to Dutch publication De Telegraaf his curiosity regarding how Red Bull will address and overcome their current issues, while also acknowledging that there will be other tracks where the team is expected to perform better.
Action needs to be taken to address the issue and identify the root causes of specific challenges. In the meantime, it is evident that McLaren and Ferrari are steadily narrowing the gap between them.
Max’s ability to conceal certain issues is evident, though the noticeable disparity between him and his teammate is unmistakable.
In my observation, it appears that Red Bull’s era of supremacy has reached its conclusion.
It is anticipated that Red Bull will face challenges once again during the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. The RB20 car is not well-suited to handle the bumps and kerbs of the Montreal circuit.
In an interview with German publication Sport1, Marko, a long-serving Red Bull adviser, conceded that if the car is not competitive at the upcoming Barcelona race, where Verstappen triumphed from pole position with a 24-second lead in F1 2023, Red Bull will be facing significant difficulties.
He explained that altering the height would result in a significant loss of power, which is why our options are limited in this particular area.
Nevertheless, we maintain our confidence in our superiority on traditional circuits such as Barcelona. In the event that we fail to perform exceptionally in such circumstances, it is evident that we face a significant challenge.
Marko is confident that Verstappen, who has won 49 out of the last 74 races since his debut title-winning campaign in F1 2021, will be the game-changer for Red Bull in certain venues where they might face challenges, especially with the increasing competition from Ferrari and McLaren.
He further stated, “I am confident that the Verstappen factor will play a crucial role even on tracks that are not as advantageous for our team.”
“He is currently at the peak of his performance, consistently setting himself apart. No other driver possesses the ability to consistently drive at the limit throughout each lap of the race while avoiding any mistakes.”
After Verstappen asserted that no other driver on the F1 2024 grid could have achieved sixth place in Monaco, Marko’s comments followed. Verstappen compared the RB20 to a go-kart due to its difficulties in handling kerb strikes, camber changes, and bumps.
During an interview with various media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, in Monaco last weekend, Verstappen expressed his belief that Red Bull’s recent accomplishments would make them a formidable opponent in a World Championship battle. He pointed out that both Ferrari and McLaren have been unable to secure a title victory since 2008.
He stated that being at the forefront for several years, along with our team’s operating methods, can potentially have an impact on teams striving to catch up.
Our main goal is to remain composed and composed, as we acknowledge that in recent races, other teams have either caught up to us or surpassed us. Naturally, we aspire to enhance our performance too.
However, based on our recent years’ experience, I believe we have become an incredibly formidable team in the Championship. Our ability to minimize mistakes greatly enhances our chances of victory.
You consistently strive to optimize everything, and I believe this mindset extends to all aspects of life. You continue to learn and make efforts to improve yourself.
However, I believe that it does render us highly formidable in a championship battle.
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