In a qualifying session that saw Max Verstappen achieve the 100th pole position in Red Bull’s history, team advisor Helmut Marko expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. With Sergio Perez securing the second spot, Red Bull’s dominance was firmly underlined at the event.
Speaking to Sky Germany, Marko discussed the critical factors that contributed to their success.
“We had certain problems in FP1, but step by step we changed a few things per session,” he explained, acknowledging the initial challenges but also the effectiveness of the adjustments made.
“Thank God it was dry,” he added, noting that the favourable weather conditions played a significant role in their performance.
When asked about the deciding factor for Verstappen’s pole position, Marko highlighted the small changes that had a significant impact. “This meant that we crossed the finish line three-tenths ahead. We did everything right,” he stated with confidence. The Dutchman topped every segment of qualifying.
Looking ahead to the race, Marko identified Perez as the most serious internal competitor for Verstappen.
“It will be Perez,” he affirmed, indicating a strong intra-team dynamic that could influence race strategies. However, when pressed about external threats, particularly from teams like McLaren or drivers like Fernando Alonso, Marko shifted focus to Ferrari, despite their less impressive qualifying results.
“Ferrari was disappointing, but Ferrari’s race pace is strong. They’re quick on the straights,” he observed.
Marko also expressed hopes that Red Bull can gap the Ferraris early on as they should be stuck in a DRS behind Alonso and the McLarens.
“I hope that a DRS train will form behind us and that should help us gain 10-20 seconds,” he speculated, suggesting that the team’s positioning could help buffer them against competitors.
The interview also touched on the challenges faced by Yuki Tsunoda, who has struggled throughout the weekend.
“This is his first time driving on this track,” Marko explained, highlighting the steep learning curve for the Japanese driver and pointing out his issues with the car’s stability.
