“It Won’t Be Easy for Max”: Keeping Verstappen’s Dominance Aside, Helmut Marko Makes Him Wary of Fallen F1 Giants’ Threat Before the Austrian GP

Do you recall how last season everyone thought Ferrari would win the title after the first 6-7 races and wrote off the other teams? However, Red Bull being the giant made a comeback and eked out an advantage come the end of the season. Helmut Marko has now made Max Verstappen wary of a fallen F1 giant’s threat, keeping the Dutchman’s dominance aside as the Austrian GP is around the corner. What did the Red Bull taskmaster say?

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been the class of the field this year. Their sheer dominance has taken the field by surprise. Whilst Ferrari was supposed to be challenging for the wins, they’re 4th in the standings fighting with Aston Martin and Mercedes. However, Ferrari has constantly been upgrading their car and has brought major upgrades that seem to be working. Ferrari’s race pace was right up there next to Red Bull in Canada.

Speaking with OE24, Marko stated the threat from Ferrari at the Austrian GP, warning Verstappen that it won’t be a straightforward win. He said, “Let’s see. What went down a bit in Montreal: Ferrari had the fastest car. The Red Bull Ring suits them. If [Charles] Leclerc starts from row 1 or 2, it won’t be easy for Max [Verstappen].” [translated via Google]

Max Verstappen equaled Ayrton Senna’s win record in Canada and Helmut Marko was quite proud of the Dutchman, saying how only he deserves to be compared to Senna. However, the RBR advisor understands that Ferrari can bounce back & Verstappen & Co. should not be caught napping on that. Thus, the warning perhaps.

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Ferrari really did have the pace to challenge for at least a podium in Canada and made the one-stop strategy work brilliantly. Helmut Marko admitted that Ferrari had the fastest car. Let’s see what the Red Bull taskmaster said. 

Helmut Marko on Ferrari being one of the fastest cars in Montreal

Both the Ferraris started out of position at the Canadian GP. Charles Leclerc got out in Q2 after a strategic error put him on the wrong tire compound and Carlos Sainz who was affected by the safety car timing and rain in Q3. Nevertheless, the race worked brilliantly as Ferrari showed blistering pace in the race, something which has been their weakness for some time now. Helmut Marko acknowledged Red Bull’s struggles suggesting that Ferrari was the quickest car around Montreal.

According to Formu1a.uno, Helmut Marko said “It certainly wasn’t easy. We had problems getting our tyres up to temperature, especially with the hard,” he told the media in Canada. The race was more difficult than we anticipated. I have to say, thank God Ferrari had to start so far back because they were actually the fastest on both compounds.”

What do you think? Does Ferrari have a shot at winning in Austria?

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