Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are unlikely to challenge for victory in this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix based on their rivals’ strong performances – especially Mercedes – in Thursday’s opening sessions.
Verstappen, who holds a commanding 62-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris in the Drivers’ championship, set the fifth fastest time in FP1 and slipped to a concerning 17th in FP2.
While Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton topped both sessions and Norris closely followed in the second, Red Bull struggled to unlock pace in the chilly conditions on the low-grip Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Key to their difficulties was the RB20’s straight-line speed deficit, reportedly as much as six-tenths of a second compared to their rivals, a shortfall linked to the car’s excessively draggy rear wing.
Unfortunately, with no alternative available this weekend, the bulls are left to contend with a significant handicap relative to their front-running competitors.
Adding to the woes, Verstappen described the track conditions as “like driving on ice,” due to difficulties in getting the tyres to work effectively over a single lap.
Marko was therefore blunt in his assessment of Red Bull’s prospects.
“With our performance today, we have no chance at all of second place, let alone first place,” the Austrian told ORF.
While a victory in Las Vegas appears unlikely, Verstappen remains the favorite to clinch his fourth world title this weekend as a finish ahead of Norris on Saturday evening would seal the championship.
Marko reflected on the broader picture however, acknowledging that Red Bull’s chances of reclaiming the Constructors’ Championship were slim, given the deficit to McLaren and teammate Sergio Perez’s ongoing struggles.
“That has actually been clear for some time, because if you look at the points that Perez scored compared to Max, then you know where we are lacking,” Marko said.
He added that Verstappen’s expected title win would help soften the blow of losing the Constructors’ crown.
“But now let’s just make sure that the world championship title is wrapped up for Max, then it will be easier for us to get over the constructors’ title,” he said.
Mercedes, who have had a mixed second half of the season, surprised many with their strong performance in Las Vegas. Hamilton dominated both practice sessions, while George Russell also showed competitive pace.
Marko recognized the strength of the Silver Arrows but held out hope for a shift in the competitive order as the track evolves.
“We’ve often seen this from Mercedes this year, that they are suddenly extremely strong and capable of winning,” he said.
“But let’s wait and see how it goes tomorrow. The more grip there is on the track, the order can change again.”
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