JUST IN :Helmut Marko cashes in on Red Bull doubts… Read more
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has found a silver lining amid the team’s challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite concerns over their performance relative to rivals McLaren, Marko secured a €500 win in a bet against Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s lead driver, Max Verstappen.
Prior to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, there were apprehensions about Red Bull’s competitiveness, especially when compared to McLaren’s pace. Jos Verstappen speculated that Red Bull would be half a second slower than McLaren during qualifying. Contrary to this prediction, Max Verstappen qualified third, just over three-tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris, leading to Marko’s bet victory.
Reflecting on the team’s progress since pre-season testing in Bahrain, Marko noted significant improvements. He stated, “Compared to the test days in Bahrain, we have taken a big step forward, because back then I think the difference was at least half a second.”
Despite these gains, Red Bull’s performance in the initial races has been underwhelming. At the Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen secured a second-place finish, while teammate Liam Lawson failed to complete the race. The subsequent Chinese Grand Prix saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris achieve a one-two finish, with Verstappen finishing fourth and Lawson continuing to struggle.
Liam Lawson’s difficulties have sparked discussions about his position within the team. Reports suggest that Red Bull is considering replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda has demonstrated promising form this season, making him a viable candidate for the seat.
As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, Red Bull aims to address these challenges and enhance their competitiveness. The team is focusing on strategic improvements to regain momentum in the constructors’ championship and support Max Verstappen’s pursuit of defending his drivers’ title.
