Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted it will be more reliant on “the Max Verstappen factor” in 2024 to counter the growing challenge from its Formula 1 rivals.
Verstappen began the current season with four victories from the opening five races as Red Bull’s dominance with the latest ground effect cars appeared to continue.
However, Red Bull was beaten in both Miami and Monaco last month, while Verstappen was chased right to the end under huge pressure from Lando Norris at Imola.
Verstappen struggled to sixth in Monte Carlo as he rued his RB20 car being unable to absorb the various bumps and kerbs as either the Ferrari or McLaren cars could.
The Dutchman would divulge that the Austrian outfit has retained that weakness since 2022, but the grid converging has now seen that vulnerability become exposed.
Marko has explained how Red Bull’s philosophy was behind those troubles and stated that he expects Red Bull to still hold an advantage on more conventional tracks.
“Our car has a concept in which we have focused on aerodynamic efficiency and we cannot lift it off the ground to better digest the kerbs unless we lose a lot of downforce,” he told F1 Insider. “I think we still have an advantage on traditional circuits, if we are not ahead in Barcelona then we will really have a problem.”
Marko has outlined his credence that Verstappen can mitigate the challenge it will endure on upcoming circuits where riding bumps and kerbs is essential to lap time.
“On circuits where we won’t be the most competitive we can count on the Verstappen factor, he is in full form and makes the difference,” the Austrian, 81, added.
Verstappen has concurred with Marko’s words in highlighting the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunea’s smoother asphalt as a venue where Red Bull should return to form.
However, the three-time World Champion has urged Red Bull to address the issue that proved its undoing in Monaco to ensure it can be competitive on all the circuits.
“I mean Spain has no bumps so that’s probably better for us, but some tracks with bumps where you have to ride kerbs, there are definitely a few tracks not ideal for us,” he said.
“But also probably some races suit our car more. We know where we have to work on.
“There’s one clear direction where we are still lacking quite a bit of performance and already if we can fix that our car can be better on every single track.”
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