via Getty
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Renault Sport F1 Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul talk on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
via Getty
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Renault Sport F1 Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul talk on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
In the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix, we’ve learned one big lesson: Mercedes can make mistakes. The Silver Arrows endured one of their most disappointing outings in their recent history, taking home just seven points.
Lewis Hamilton finished a lowly seventh while Valtteri Bottas retired from the race after a terrible error in the pits. This propelled Red Bull to the top of the constructor’s standings, and Max Verstappen to the top of the driver’s standings. Red Bull advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, identified a key weakness of Mercedes that he hopes his team can exploit in the coming races.
Dr. Helmut Marko believes Mercedes make mistakes under pressure
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With Verstappen winning the race, and Sergio Perez finishing P4, Red Bull scored 37 points in Monaco. This tally was enough to give them a slender one-point lead on Mercedes, and now lead the driver’s and constructor’s championship for the first time since 2013.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 23, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Mercedes endured quite a forgettable Sunday, with mistakes in both strategy and pit-stop procedures hurting Hamilton and Bottas. After the race, Marko pointed out that Mercedes can make mistakes under pressure, and so, Red Bull need to keep putting such pressure. He used the fact that Hamilton couldn’t get past Pierre Gasly in the race to make his point.
The Austrian said, “I was surprised that Hamilton drove behind Gasly more or less without a fight and then this pit stop. However, that shows that when the pressure is there they make mistakes.
“That also means that we have to keep going and apply pressure Mercedes.” (Quotes translated from German by Google)
READ MORE: Mercedes, Not Me, Have Lessons to Learn From Monaco GP Flop: Lewis Hamilton
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Marko admits that Ferrari have also joined the party
With Ferrari putting in an impressive performance in Monaco, Marko admitted that they have also staked their claim this season. He believes the Italian can make their task more difficult while also appreciating the increased excitement for the audience.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 22, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Sebastien Nogier
“Now another brand is being added with Ferrari,” said Marko. “This is very good for the audience, and an even more difficult task for us.”
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With the next race in Baku, Red Bull will look to take advantage of another street circuit to extend their lead on Mercedes. While Hamilton looks to get a better result in the “Land of Fire,” Mercedes’ street circuit weaknesses might surface its ugly head again. Are the Silver Arrows in for another tough weekend on June 4?
