Helmut Marko, a key figure at Red Bull Racing, has expressed concerns about the team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship as they head into the Mexican Grand Prix. He emphasized the necessity for both of their drivers to secure strong points finishes, especially with Ferrari’s impressive performance in qualifying. Following their recent 1-2 finish at the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz outperformed Max Verstappen in Mexico, taking pole position by two-tenths of a second. This performance has raised alarms within Red Bull about potentially losing second place in the championship standings.
Ferrari’s qualifying session showcased their strength, with Sainz clinching pole and teammate Charles Leclerc starting from P4. In contrast, Verstappen qualified second, but Sergio Perez struggled significantly, starting from 18th. The situation places Red Bull in a precarious position, as McLaren’s Lando Norris also qualified well, taking third. Currently, McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship, 40 points ahead of Red Bull, with Ferrari trailing just eight points behind Red Bull. This tight competition underscores the critical nature of the upcoming race for all three teams.
Marko stressed that Red Bull must prioritize maximizing points from both drivers to fend off Ferrari, who are closing the gap. He acknowledged the shifting dynamics among the top teams, noting that Ferrari seems to be the most consistent in performance lately, despite recent fluctuations in dominance between teams like McLaren and Mercedes in previous races. Marko indicated that while Red Bull might eventually slip to third in the standings, Ferrari could also create challenges for McLaren, making the battle for points even more competitive.
In addressing Red Bull’s qualifying performance, Marko shared insights into the team’s recovery after encountering engine issues on Friday. Max Verstappen improved significantly, clocking the fourth-fastest time in final practice but was still half a second behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Red Bull’s engineers identified a performance deficit in sector 3, which they managed to rectify before qualifying, enabling Verstappen to deliver a standout lap. Marko praised both the drivers and the engineering team for their efforts in overcoming these challenges.
The race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez promises to be crucial for Red Bull as they aim to secure vital points and maintain their position in the Constructors’ Championship. With only a slim margin separating the teams, Marko’s remarks highlight the high stakes and intense competition among Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren as they prepare for the upcoming 71-lap race.
