The month of November had been circled in red in Red Bull’s agenda for quite some time. After circuits that, on paper, would not suit the Red Bull RB16B, including Monza, Sochi, Istanbul Park and COTA, it is now time for the circuits so beloved by the Austrian racing stable. This weekend the drivers will race in Mexico and next weekend in Brazil.
This weekend’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the setting for the Mexican Grand Prix, which has already been renamed MAXico in the past. At the Interlagos circuit, the Dutchman went like a rocket in Brazil in 2018 and 2019. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is therefore very confident in the coming races. The circuits, both higher up, should be in favor of the Honda engine.
“At the moment we are just behind Mercedes in terms of engine performance. Their lowered rear gives them an advantage on long straights. With the chassis it depends on the shape of the day, but the superiority we had in France is gone,” he said. Marko on Auto Motor and Sport.
The Austrian assumes that rival Lewis Hamilton still has to take a grid penalty in the coming races, before switching to a fifth power source. Verstappen is safe. “If the races are normal and there are no accidents, then we are safe. Our information, our hope, is that Hamilton will have to change one more time.”
Marko has no fear of dropping out for Verstappen. “Until now we have been very reliable with the Honda engine. However, you are never immune to a defect. But the situation regarding the engine is certainly more reassuring for Honda than for Mercedes.”
Marko: “Verstappen or Hamilton will make the difference”
With the very small differences, it is crucial that Verstappen and Red Bull-Honda operate as flawlessly as possible. Marko is convinced that the drivers will make the difference in the title race.
“First of all, both teams have to be as clear as possible. Both Mercedes and we have succeeded so far. Mistakes in strategic terms, preparation and pit stops have been minimal.”
“The whole package has to be good. You see that if Bottas has a good day that he participates in the front, and the same goes for Perez. But nobody can keep up with the two top players (Verstappen and Hamilton, ed.). The driver makes the difference .”
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