Red Bull boss in scathing swipe at McLaren amid Lando Norris challenge
Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been used to having things their own way for so long, but McLaren in particular have made huge progress with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri now providing a significant threat
Lando Norris has emerged as a threat to Max Verstappen’s title hopes
Helmut Marko has attributed McLaren’s impressive improvements to the Woking-based squad “copying better” than Red Bull’s other Formula 1 rivals.
McLaren have emerged from the pack in recent weeks to take the fight to the defending champions. Having started the season a cut above the rest again, Red Bull seem to have a bona fide challenger again.
Lando Norris won in Miami earlier this month and pushed Max Verstappen all the way at Imola. In Monaco last weekend, both McLaren cars finished about the two Red Bulls as Ferrari also showed they are capable of winning again.
Speaking to Austrian publication OE24, Red Bull adviser Marko explained his theory behind why this has happened. And he pointed to the fact former chief designer Rob Marshall has been engineering and design technical director at McLaren for several months now as a major reason for their improvement.
Marko said: “We are now in our third year with the current regulations, and people copy. Some copy better, and you can see the result now at McLaren. Ferrari has also constantly developed further. [After Marshall’s move] the first fruits are there.”
The Austrian also pointed to the fact Red Bull struggled with their car throughout the Monaco weekend, adding: “Our two drivers came to Monte Carlo enthusiastically and said that the car handled the kerbs really well. But as soon as they were in the car, they said: undrivable!”
Marko hinted at what he also wrote in his Speedweek column about there being a lack of correlation between what Red Bull’s simulations told them compared to what they actually experienced on the streets of Monte Carlo.