Marko disagrees with Verstappen’s prediction for the Mexican Grand Prix – Helmut Marko has a different outlook on Red Bull Racing’s prospects for the race than Verstappen does. While Verstappen expressed concerns about the team’s pace and competitiveness, Marko believes that a podium finish is still within reach for the Austrian team.
In an interview with Sky Sports Germany, Red Bull’s senior advisor offered a more optimistic assessment of the team’s chances in Mexico City. “We improved, but lost two tenths in sector two,” he explained. “That happened in just two corners. Tomorrow will be very difficult; tyre wear will be decisive.”
Despite acknowledging the team’s ongoing challenges, Marko still expects a strong performance. “I think Lando Norris will be untouchable here,” he said. “It is possible to beat the rest. The best we can hope for is a podium place.”
This statement reflects Marko’s belief that, although McLaren have a clear advantage, Red Bull could still compete with Ferrari and Mercedes for a podium finish. His comments suggest that Red Bull’s main goal will be to execute the race and tyre strategy perfectly to challenge for third place, even if outright victory is unlikely.
Verstappen is less confident about his chances in Mexico
Marko’s comments contrast with Verstappen’s more cautious tone after qualifying. The four-time world champion admitted that he expects Sunday’s race to be tough, citing Red Bull’s lack of pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari.
The qualifying results supported his concerns: Lando Norris secured pole position with a strong performance, while Verstappen could manage only fifth place. Ahead of him were the two Ferraris driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as the Mercedes driven by George Russell. Red Bull’s deficit in Mexico’s second sector, where medium-speed corners dominate, was particularly telling.
The car’s setup, which is usually strong in terms of straight-line performance, seemed less suited to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez’s technical layout.
On Thursday, Verstappen said that he and his Red Bull team needed to be “perfect” to try and beat the McLaren drivers for the title. But now the Dutchman isn’t sure if his car will be fast enough for Sunday’s race.
“I have no pace, so it doesn’t matter what I do in Turn 1, even if I jump two cars they will get me later in the race,” he said.
“I just need to stay out of trouble and do my own race but every lap I did in the long run has been weak compared to the cars ahead of me.
“So I’ll just try and follow and see what we can do.” concluded Verstappen.
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The team had concerns about long-run pace
Team boss Laurent Mekies also expressed some concern after qualifying. He revealed that Red Bull had been struggling to find consistent balance during long runs in practice.
“We were not entirely satisfied with the long runs until the start of that session,” Mekies admitted. “There’s still more to extract in terms of tyre management and stability through the middle sector.”
These comments suggest that, while Red Bull may be able to improve their short-run pace through setup adjustments, their tyre degradation over the race distance could be a limiting factor. The thin air and higher temperatures in Mexico City often put additional stress on tyres and power units, which could further complicate Red Bull’s strategy.
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Despite the challenges, Marko remains hopeful
Despite Verstappen’s cautious outlook and the team’s technical struggles, Marko is confident that Red Bull can deliver a competitive performance. His prediction of a podium finish suggests faith in Verstappen’s racing skills and Red Bull’s ability to capitalise on strategy or rivals’ mistakes.
Verstappen’s consistency and ability to perform well under pressure have often compensated for shortcomings in qualifying. If Red Bull can manage tyre wear effectively and maintain a clean race, Marko’s prediction may well come true.
While Norris’s McLaren appears out of reach, the battle for the remaining podium positions between Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes could be tight. The Mexican Grand Prix often has unpredictable outcomes due to its unique conditions and high altitude, creating opportunities for strategic manoeuvring.
Whether Verstappen’s caution or Marko’s optimism proves correct largely depends on how well the team executes its race plan on Sunday and how the RB21 handles tyre degradation. For now, Red Bull faces a challenging but not insurmountable task in Mexico City.
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“Dun-dun… dun-dun… dun-dun……duuuunnnn-duun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dunnnnnnnnnnn…” That if you didn’t realise was the phonetic representation of the Jaws movie theme tune. And the Red Bull team of old would’ve been blasting it out from a sub-woofer in their garage to unnerve their McLaren rivals.
But now even a bit of fun over some tape stuck on the wall is frowned upon and described as unsporting. Team boss Laurent Mekies when asked about the Red Bull mechanic who attempted to remove Lando Norris’ marker from the pit lane wall in Austin, claimed the fun and games would be back “under control” this weekend.
Yet there’s a mood in the paddock air which believes Verstappen is very much in the fight for the 2025 drivers’ championship. Oscar Pastry in the FIA press conference admitted he had been somewhat taken back with the Red Bull driver’s resurgence…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
