Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has hinted that McLaren might be running a highly competitive version of their car, as the competition starts to catch up with the World Championship leaders.
Lando Norris took his first career win in Miami and almost beat Max Verstappen in Imola. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri finished second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Monaco, indicating that McLaren and Ferrari are starting to close the gap on Red Bull.
Despite Red Bull’s strong standing in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, with Verstappen holding a comfortable lead, the performance of rival teams has not gone unnoticed. Helmut Marko pointed out, ‘Some copy better, and you can see the result at McLaren.’
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner mentioned that the reigning champions might be experiencing the ‘law of diminishing returns,’ allowing other teams more room to improve their performance. Marko noted that copying successful car designs is a common tactic in Formula 1, stating, ‘We are now in our third year with the current regulations, and people are copying. Some copy better, and you can now see the result at McLaren.’
Marko also acknowledged Ferrari’s constant development. He said Red Bull drivers were initially enthusiastic about their car in Monte Carlo but found it ‘undriveable’ once they were on the track.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, remains cautious about their recent success, suggesting that it may take more races to determine if McLaren can sustain their competitive edge. ‘I think the picture of competitiveness for Red Bull is not entirely clear to me,’ Stella commented. He pointed out that tracks like Imola, Monaco, and Miami emphasize different performance characteristics, such as handling kerbs and bumps.
Stella added, ‘I think, for instance, our progress, I don’t think is just because we are more competitive on these kinds of characteristics. I think that’s more genuine – it’s just we have added good downforce onto the car.’ He acknowledged that McLaren’s drivers still face challenges with kerbs and bumps, especially in Monaco. Stella believes that upcoming tracks will provide a clearer picture of the competitive landscape.
While Red Bull remains the team to beat, McLaren’s recent performances suggest they are closing the gap. However, the true measure of their competitiveness will be revealed in the races to come.
Source: Planetf1
