Marko Boldly Claims Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Had it ‘Reasonably Easy’ at French GP

Dr. Helmut Marko praised Max Verstappen and Red Bull after an outstanding qualifying session at French Grand Prix. Furthermore, the Red Bull advisor also reveals that the pole position came ‘reasonably easy’.

Max Verstappen posted a lightning-fast lap of 1:30:325 to secure the fifth pole position of his career. Title rival Lewis Hamilton failed to match the pace of the Dutch and ended up on P2 with 0.4s slower. And behind them were Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez at P3 and P4, respectively.

Max Verstappen was all set to win his maiden Azerbaijan Grand Prix until he involved in a frightening crash. Therefore, he failed to increase the lead over his title rival Lewis Hamilton.

Watch Story: From Shocking Lewis Hamilton Crash to Ferrari Pit Stop Blunder: Most Sensational Moments in Bahrain GP History.

What did Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko say?

Red Bull’s advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, believes the RB16B, the Honda engine in the back, and aggressive Max Verstappen behind the wheel is such a deadly combination that makes the qualification at Le Castellet ‘reasonably easy’.

“It went fairly easy. At least, it is never really easy, but that was due to the combination of car, motorcycle and driver”, he sums up. It also helped that Red Bull ‘found the ideal setup’ in the third practice,” told Helmut Marko to ServusTV.

On Sergio Perez qualifying at P4 Helmut Marko said, “We had actually hoped that Sergio Pérez would make it to P3. However, Pérez came up a few hundredths short. We are in good shape for Sunday’s race.

“The game plan is simple, yet effective: start well, drive Mercedes out of DRS range and then keep everything under control.” (Quotes translated from Dutch via Google translate)

“If we can beat them here, we can do it everywhere”: Christian Horner

It has been a significant result for Red Bull considering Mercedes’s dominance at normal circuits and notably at Paul Ricard Circuit, winning the last two races in 2018 and 2019.

Christian Horner admitted the Milton Keynes-based team is full of confidence after securing the pole position at French Grand Prix and believes they can defeat the Silver Arrows at any circuit.

“This circuit has been a stronghold for Mercedes in recent years. If we can beat them here, we can beat them anywhere. The team works hard,” said the Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner.

“It is extra difficult this year with the budget ceiling. We have to pay attention to this year’s car but also the 2022 car. To see the team perform like this and put the pressure on Mercedes, that’s great,”

It was evident from free practice and qualifying sessions that the pace had been excellent in the Red Bull and will start on the mediums on Sunday.

Read More: Sergio Perez Refutes Claims of Being Max Verstappen’s ‘Wingman’ at Red Bull F1.

Can Red Bull drivers show yet another solid performance and increase their lead over Mercedes? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.