The 2023 Miami GP was the race that turned the fortunes around for Max Verstappen last year. Up until that race in Florida, both Verstappen and Perez had two race wins each. But it was bound to change as the Dutchman stormed through the field and won the race, beating Checo by multiple seconds. Miami was also the race that started the longest win streak for the 3X champ. But Helmut Marko has not come out to deliver worrying words to Verstappen, with the Miami GP up next.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have continued their dominance in 2024, right from where they left it in 2023. Had it not been for the retirement in Australia, Verstappen would’ve been in contention for winning all 5 races so far, but 4 race wins out of 5 isn’t bad either. Regardless, Red Bull did seem to struggle a little bit in Australia, with the tire wear at the track being super high. 

Before the Chinese GP, the Red Bull taskmaster did expect Ferrari to be stronger at the Shanghai International Circuit and was uncertain of how the new track surface would fare against the Red Bull. After all, China is known for notorious tire wear. Alas, the Scuderia was nowhere at the pace of the Milton-Keynes-based team, who won the race with 10+ seconds, considering there were 2 safety cars. Yet, the strong performance from China doesn’t stop Marko from sending an 8-word warning shot in Verstappen’s way suggesting it won’t be easy to take the pole.

According to formulapassion.it, Helmut Marko said, “The results of the long runs, however, also indicate that the wear of the tires has been excessive. So that means the car is fast, yes, but the road surface and the layout of the track can make a difference. The tracks where opponents could get a little closer to us are Miami or Monaco; especially in Qualifying the rivals are close. I can imagine that it will not be easy to win pole position in Florida.” 

Marko even sent a warning to Christian Horner and Co’s way before the Chinese GP, as he highlighted the poor performance at the abrasive track surface in Melbourne. Nonetheless, after warning Verstappen about the Miami GP threat, he took the chance to slam Ferrari’s poor form in China. 

Helmut Marko on Ferrari’s Chinese GP struggles: “Couldn’t get close to the Top 3”

The Chinese GP was a weekend to forget for the Maranello-based team. Poor decisions, tension between teammates led to forcing each other off track during the weekend, and just a lack of pace in comparison to Red Bull. Going into the race in Shanghai, Marko expected the Scuderia to challenge his team, but the Red team was nowhere to be seen in the race or the sprint. 

Helmut Marko highlighted the same, suggesting how Ferrari wasn’t even in the Top 3 in qualifying or in the race and was beaten by Lando Norris. The Red Bull taskmaster said, “We were amazed that this time Lando Norris came in second with McLaren. We expected Ferrari to be stronger, but they couldn’t get close to the top-3, neither in long runs, nor in qualifying, nor in races.”

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