When Helmut Marko expects Red Bull to be ‘competitive’ again after Monza disaster

Follow us on Google Discover

When the chequered flag flew at Monza, the feeling within the Red Bull Racing team would have been serious concern.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were unable to make any progress from the fourth row of the grid, only benefitting from George Russell’s compromised race.

It means Red Bull’s lead over McLaren is down to single digits with Ferrari also quickly closing the gap.

Red Bull have had the dominant race over the past few seasons, but their development has completely stalled.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Speaking to De Telegraaf after the race, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko explained when he hopes his team will be able to fight McLaren and Ferrari again.

Verstappen didn’t nail his qualifying lap and may have been left wondering why he started on the hard tyre and switched onto it again during the first pit stop.

Martin Brundle was surprised by Red Bull’s choice and Charles Leclerc proved that a one-stop strategy was possible.

However, the car is nowhere near the level that either driver expects and Verstappen now seems to be suffering with the same issues Perez has been dealing with for most of the campaign.

Helmut Marko pessimistic about Red Bull’s hopes after disappointing Italian Grand Prix

Reflecting after the race, Marko said: “Max recognized on Saturday where the weakness of the car is.

“Together with the engineers, a decision was made on how to improve the car and make it competitive again.

“We just have to figure out which part made the car worse. If we knew that, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

They go on to say that Marko has confirmed Red Bull will ‘try out something again’ at the next race in Baku.

However, Marko went on to say that he doesn’t expect Red Bull to be competitive again until Austin.

It means they’re going to have to go to two more races – including Singapore where they failed to win last year – with a car that isn’t at the same level as their closest rivals.

The three-week break before heading back to the United States is going to be vital to their chances of winning both championships.

Max Verstappen continues to be unsure about Red Bull’s development

Verstappen is still the favourite to win a fourth straight Drivers’ Championship but if he continues to finish 6^th or lower then he’s simply relying on other drivers stealing points from Lando Norris to secure the title.

His teammate Perez is still struggling but with Verstappen no longer dominating races, there’s less pressure on the Mexican.

Perez’s future could be reassessed after Singapore but replacing the 34-year-old now no longer seems like a priority.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Verstappen has questioned whether Red Bull should have brought a Monza-specific upgrade this weekend and wasn’t happy on the team radio.

He didn’t believe that the team were concentrating properly during the final stint of the race even when he had very little to race for.

Red Bull have a two-week break to prepare for Baku but Marko isn’t expecting miracles at the next two races.