Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that the team is bringing an upgrade to its 2024 Formula 1 car this weekend at Imola, which he is expecting “a lot” from.
The Austrian outfit experienced a less-than-seamless weekend last time out in Miami, as Max Verstappen complained about balance hitches on his RB20 throughout.
But the Dutchman clinched the win in the Sprint and was on course to replicate that in the main race until a Safety Car intervened and ensured Lando Norris prevailed.
Verstappen had incurred floor damage when he hit the bollard at Turn 14 on Lap 22, which Red Bull team boss Christian Horner stated cost him 0.25s in Turn 1 alone.
However, Marko hinted that Verstappen didn’t believe that was to blame for his 7.6-second deficit at the chequered flag, conceding that McLaren had the quickest car.
“Max doesn’t think it was that serious,” Marko told oe24 when Horner’s comments on the damage were put to him. “The fact is that we were slower than McLaren.”
Despite Norris producing lap times that Verstappen said he couldn’t match before the Safety Car, Marko suspects Red Bull would have had enough in hand to triumph.
When it was put to him that Norris benefitted from the interruption, caused when Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen tangled, Marko responded: “That’s right.
“Norris would have had a hard time closing the gap behind Max, and overtaking in Miami is very difficult.”
Verstappen, who extended his championship lead, remained in a positive mood post-race and expressed his happiness that Norris had been the driver to defeat him.
But when shedding light on the pair’s strong relationship off the track, Marko warned that the Briton could be a greater threat now his elusive wait for a win was over.
“Max maintains a very friendly relationship with Norris. He often takes him with him on planes, and they often meet up for sim racing,” Marko explained.
“But now it is feared that Lando will become even more dangerous to him on the track. Because the pressure is off now.”
However, the Austrian, 81, denied that he was concerned with McLaren’s ongoing revival as he disclosed that the reigning champions will have upgrades to the RB20.
Asked whether he viewed the Woking-based squad as a threat for this season’s championships Marko replied: “No, I’m not worried, Norris is over 50 points behind.
“We are also bringing an upgrade to Imola that I expect a lot from. But Miami shows that we have to concentrate on sports.”
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